Supporting Food Access Through the Feed RI Floor Mural
The Richmond Room is part of Feed RI’s ongoing efforts to support its Feed the Future program, which provides access to food for students and families across Rhode Island through school‑based pantries. As part of the project, local businesses sponsored four‑foot tile squares that together form a large, hand‑painted floor mural highlighting the partners committed to fighting food insecurity. All funds raised from the floor mural sponsorships directly support Feed RI’s Feed the Future program.
Creativity and Community at Beacon Mutual
Beacon Mutual sponsored two tile squares, each painted by an employee.
Dale Noelte, Beacon’s Communications Technology Specialist, painted one square depicting Castle Hill Lighthouse, a symbol deeply rooted in Beacon’s history. Her design thoughtfully incorporated Beacon branding elements and a reference to the Beacon Foundation, reflecting the company’s long‑standing commitment to giving back to the community.
“I wanted my square to reflect both Beacon Mutual’s history and our commitment to giving back,” said Dale Noelte, Beacon Mutual employee and artist. “The Castle Hill Lighthouse has long been an important symbol for Beacon, so incorporating it into the design along with elements of the Beacon Foundation felt like a meaningful way to connect our past, our values, and our support for Feed RI’s mission.”Christy Sherman, a Beacon software developer and artist, painted the second tile square, bringing a bold Rhode Island–inspired design to life. While the scale and medium were new challenges, the experience allowed Christy to apply her creative talents in support of a meaningful cause.
"Being part of the Feed RI floor mural was both exciting and a little intimidating,” said Christy Sherman, a Beacon software developer. “I usually work in pastels, so painting a four‑foot section of a floor with acrylics pushed me well outside my comfort zone.”
Sherman continued, “Knowing the project supports such important work in our community made every challenge worth it. I’m really proud that Beacon supported this effort and that I could contribute my art to something that will have a lasting impact for local families.”
Beacon Mutual’s leadership echoed the importance of employee‑driven community involvement.
“Projects like the Feed RI floor mural show what’s possible when creativity, generosity, and purpose come together,” said Gregg Tumeinski, Chief Growth Officer of Beacon Mutual. “Our employees care deeply about our community, and it’s inspiring to see their talent and passion directly support local families.”The completed floor has been sealed and preserved, and the Richmond Room will be available for event rentals, with proceeds continuing to benefit Feed RI’s Feed the Future program.
Building on a Strong Community Partnership
In 2023, Beacon employees volunteered at the We Share Hope Market as part of the company’s annual Week of Service, helping support food access efforts in the community. Employees have also volunteered at Feed RI’s Mission Impastable events on multiple occasions over the years, further strengthening Beacon’s long‑standing commitment to addressing local food insecurity.
Community Relations
To learn more about the many ways Beacon Mutual is impacting our community, visit beaconmutual.com/community-relations.
Tessa Tavares Costa Content Marketer & Customer Experience Team Lead