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Annual Summer Picnic
RIVA brings the local community together with our Annual VeggieQue Summer Picnic where we build friendships and community and honor the vegan movement. Whether you are vegetarian, vegan, or just want to see what all the fuss is about, join us for a delicious feast where no farmed animals have suffered. Our all vegan barbeque, hence "veggieque", features all the traditional vegan favorite-burgers- hot dogs- salads- fruit etc., local organic produce, games, swimming, merchandise, and as always, free educational information. The delicious buffet dispels all myths that vegan food is boring.
"The best food I ever had." ~Patty, Summer Picnic attendee
“Wonderful picnic! So much food and all delicious and healthy.” ~Diane, Summer Picnic attendee
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PSA on MTV
THIS IS THE REALITY TV THE WORLD NEEDS
Animals on factory farms are confined to the point where they can barely move, are denied veterinary care, are mutilated without painkillers, and are brutally slaughtered.
These abuses, suffered by over 10 billion sentient land animals every year in the US alone, are what compelled us to launch its “Behind Closed Doors” TV Public Service Announcement campaign. With your support, this powerful 60 second commercial can continue to run on MTV throughout the entire state of Rhode Island and give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at factory farms, exposing the routine abuse, torture, and suffering of farmed animals. At the end of the PSA, viewers are provided the RIVA website where they can order a free Veg Starter Guide and learn more.
View the Public Service Announcement
The initial run in May of "Behind Closed Doors" has received well over 180 orders of Veg Starter Guides. Our PSA will be broadcast throughout the entire state over 100 times for two weeks in December. This Public Service Announcement is one of the most important and effective tools of outreach. RIVA is determined to continue airing this important PSA but we need your help. We encourage you to read the following comments from viewers.
Felicia in Barrington
"i saw the commercial. it is absolutely horrid what they do to animals"
Caitlin in Providence
"Although I am not an avid meat eater I hope to rid myself of eating meat very soon. I have always felt severe compassion for all the animals killed for us to eat."
Kerri in Warwick
"A terrifyingly morbid and convincing MTV commercial. I've read Fast Food Nation, I've read The Jungle, my girl is Vegan....It took this commercial to pull me off the fence. I'll do all I can to help you now."
Justine in Bristol
"I saw the ad on tv. It really got to me. So I went to the site to learn more."
Julia in Pawtucket
"i heard about Mercy For Animals from the commercial. i immediately went vegetarian. Animals have feeling too, just like humans. "
Kelly in Providence
"Absolutely heart breaking...I had to go to your website to find out more information."
Trisha Lynn in Narragansett
"I was watching TV and saw the commercial and it really changed my out look on eating meat. I think putting that commercial out is going to change many peoples views. Besides seeing the commercial I was just diagnosis with gout and i no longer can eat meat. So that helps me with giving it up all together. Because I can imagine giving meat up cannot be easy, but I am up for the challenge, because I can not bare to harm animals any longer. "
Lauren in Wakefield
"I saw a commercial where it featured clips of farm animals, and how they were caged, treated, and infected with diseases. I've been a vegetarian for 3 years now, and I've done lots of in school informative reports on animal cruelty and why vegetarianism is healthier and more a compassionate lifestyle. The commercial was really moving, and right after seeing it I came to this website."
Constantine in Middletown
“VERY EYE OPENING COMMERCIAL!”
Mike in Cranston
"a touching television commercial. i watched in shock as i saw innocent piggys being hung from a ceiling. i wanted 2 turn away, yet i knew that a cause was behind this. so i said to myself ""i must get involved"" any way any how. i am a long time animal lover, the animals turn to me in need, i speak to them in my dreams. please keep in contact i want to help, and i will already start by a personal boycott of that murder that they call meat."
As you can see, people are deeply moved by the truth of animal suffering and are compelled to rethink their food choices. We need your help to fund this effort so that we may continue airing this important PSA.. Please consider sponsoring a "Behind Closed Doors" Public Service Announcement.
For a mere $20 donation, less than a tank of gas—this full minute commercial will air twice on animal planet or once on MTV during prime time viewing! If you sponsor five spots at $100, RIVA will send you a gift of the new, powerful film, Peaceable Kingdom.
Checks can be sent to RIVA, P.O. Box 9092, Providence, RI 02940 or you canmake a secure online donation through our website by clicking the donation link on the left menu.
Your donation allows you to help RIVA reach thousands of people who care about animals but are uninformed of their suffering. You can change someone’s life and help save the life of many animals TODAY.
Every dollar donated will go directly to keeping the commercial on the airwaves. No donation is too small— even $5.00 helps to spread this vital message calling upon humanity for compassion.
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Film Screenings
Many consumers are compelled to rethink their food choice once they bear witness to the heart-breaking films of animals suffering, whether it be a helpless hen trapped in the wire of her battery cage or a mother cow crying for her calf taken away after only a few hours. Films that depict the abuses in factory farms and slaughterhouses, the personal transformations of people who used to farm animals and are now vegan, the sanctuaries that rescue suffering farmed animals and provide them peace and love for the first time, are one of the most powerful tools we have for change.
RIVA has held many film screeings at Cable Car Cinema, local libraries, and health centers throughout Rhode Island. We welcome arts organizations, theatres, and college campuses to contact RIVA at 401-934-1345 and set up a film screening event. We will provide the film, handouts, literature, veg starter guides, and vegan food tastings! A memorable and moving experience for all!
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Free Vegan Starter Guide
RIVA understands the critical importance of educating the public about the rampant suffering that farmed animals endure, the widespread pollution caused by modern farming and the health consequences of the SAD (Standard American Diet). To make exploring and adopting the compassionate, healthy, and earth-friendly vegan diet as easy as possible, RIVA provides FREE vegan starter guides at all our events and on our website. RIVA also has placed FREE Veg Information Stands throughout Rhode Island. The information stands are bright yellow and are located on college campuses and in popular pedestrian areas where young adults and older teens frequent. They are regularly stocked with free 24 page vegan starter guides offering comprehensive information on why vegan as well as vegan nutrition and living. We have currently installed three info stands in Providence on Wickenden Street, Thayer Street, and the Brown University Campus. We are researching other locations in Newport, Kent County, and South County. If you would like to get involved in this project or have an idea for a location, please contact RIVA at 401-934-2233.
Click here to order your free vegan starter kit
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Library Connection
Public libraries are wonderful places to conduct research, learn new ideas, and challenge your thinking. Unfortunately, many libraries do not have adequate collections, if they have a collection at all, on vegan related books and films. RIVA has donated many books and films to libraries throughout the state and will continue to do so as funds allow.
Our New World Gift program allows our supporters to enhances library offerings so people can access groundbreaking films on their own. Through this program, you can make a donation in someone's honor and RIVA will donate the award winning film, Peaceable Kingdom, to a library of your choice. We then acknowledge the gift by sending a beautiful card to the recipient with optional vegan information. So as people celebrate holidays, birthdays, and anniversaries, we can all be raising vegan awareness. Please visit our online store or contact RIVA at 401-934-1345 if you wish to order a New World Gift.
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Outreach & Information Tables
Becoming informed is the first step in creating social change. RIVA is deeply committed to providing the public with compelling facts and information regarding the intolerable animal suffering, widespread pollution, and chronic illness associated with eating animals. Our outreach tables provide free literature, handouts, booklets, membership information, and video footage to engage the public in learning. We are available to answer questions, share our personal experiences, and offer support to anyone interested in exploring a vegan diet. Since our inception, RIVA has hosted over 35 outreach tables and observed how moved and inspired individuals are by what riva offers. We encourage college groups to contact us at 934-1345 if you'd like to schedule a RIVA outreach table on campus.
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Veg-Friendly Rhode Island Guide
Eating vegan and rejecting unecessary suffering isn't difficult when you have the support and resources you need.
Our one-stop online guide to vegan dining and shopping in Rhode Island and beyond helps people access the support they need with ease. We update the guide regularly and encourage you to contact us if you locate a resource we haven't so that we can let everyone know!
The demand for vegetarian and vegan meals has increased drastically in recent years. The National Restaurant Association has found that one in five consumers actively search for a vegetarian option on the menu, and one in three will order a vegetarian entree if available. We encourage everyone to speak up at restaurants and markets, requesting that they carry more vegan items. Your voice matters! We invite you to visit ourResources page to view the guide.
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