CRANSTON — A noisy meeting between anti-poverty advocates and state officials yesterday elicited an official promise: the state will try to help more people obtain the food stamps for which they qualify.

Gary Alexander, executive director of the state Department of Human Services, told representatives of the George Wiley Center he will consider their request for extended office hours to help applicants for federally financed food-stamp assistance, as well as their proposals for greater outreach efforts.

“Right now, that seems impossible, but I will take it under advisement,” Alexander said. He explained that union contracts could prohibit work-hour changes. Beyond that, extending hours could cost more in overtime and added security. Nonetheless, he promised he will discuss the possibility “within the next couple of weeks” with his staff.

Alexander agreed with the group that additional outreach, beyond the department’s current efforts, could potentially be conducted at supermarkets.

A short outdoor rally preceded the meeting with Alexander and two other DHS officials.

Julia Silvia, a Wiley Center community organizer, grabbed a bullhorn at 10 a.m. as the group gathered outside the DHS administrative offices at 47 Howard Ave. She and others began to chant:

“We can’t accept this … DHS! Help feed the hungry! Come out! Come out, wherever you are!”

And then, “We need a change! Feed the people! Feed the people! We’re coming in!”

Henry Shelton, director of the Wiley Center in Pawtucket, said the group was angry that it took so long for Alexander to respond to changes to the food-stamp program that he, Shelton, proposed at a meeting with Governor Carcieri and Alexander on Nov. 19.

The proposed changes include extending office hours on two nights a week and Saturday hours so that applicants do not have to take a day out of work to apply; changing the recertification process from every six months to once a year, which the group argued will save time, paperwork and reduce caseloads; use community agencies to assist applicants; and hire more workers.

The answers contained in Alexander’s Jan. 8 letter boiled down to “no, no, no,” said Shelton, “and that is unacceptable. Feeding people should be the number-one priority. This letter is several weeks late. We are really angry today. There’s no excuse.”

Alexander acknowledged that “the enrollment is low, but we have been making progress.”

Bob McDonough, a department administrator, said participation is at its highest in eight or nine years.

Shelton and others said that isn’t enough, and Alexander and McDonough concurred.

“We should be hiring more food-stamp workers,” said Shelton. “Let’s really open it up. Let’s really have a dramatic increase, so food pantries aren’t being deluged.”

Ernie Marot, told Alexander that a Pawtucket soup kitchen he runs has served 5,000 more meals this year than last.

In arguing for non-traditional hours for DHS employees who assist food-stamp applicants, Maggie Rogers of the Wiley Center noted that the governor “did that at the [Division of Motor Vehicles] — it can be done.”

She also noted that food stamps for those in need “are their bread and butter, literally.”

kziner@projo.com