PROVIDENCE — There is another side to the story of athletes eating to compete. It’s athletes not having enough to eat, never mind to compete.

According to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics, 40,000 Rhode Island children younger than 18, enough to fill Fenway Park to overflowing, lack sufficient food.

In October, as the national economy began to crash, the Rhode Island Community Food Bank assisted 49,000 residents, about 16,000 of them children. Those hungry kids would pack the Dunkin’ Donuts Center, with 4,000 remaining on the street.

Some hungry teens are athletes, and they are helping their families by taking food home from school-based food banks.

“We’re assisting 40 to 50 students per week, and we have athletes, as well,” said Jimps Jean-Louis, one of three guidance counselors directing the Whole Kids Food Bank at Hope High School. Lynn Harrigan and Stephanie St. Aubin are also involved with the project, launched at the end of October.

Al DiGregorio, athletics director and boys soccer coach at Hope, is not surprised by the need. He has fed hungry soccer players for a while because he knows some of his boys do have much to eat at home. He tries to have rolls and sandwich meat on hand after games or before night games so his players have something to eat.

The need is great. Of the 24,000 children attending public schools in Providence, 19,000 qualify for free or reduced-priced lunch, which means their families are at or near the poverty line. All Providence students are eligible for a free breakfast, but many teens show up too late and start school hungry. During the soccer season, a Hope player caused a minor stir when a cafeteria worker denied his request for a second scoop of rice.

In Pawtucket, Shea High boys soccer coach Pierre Ridore knows “that a lot of kids look forward to lunch because it’s a hot meal.” Sometimes they will manage a second or third helping, he said, and milk and orange juice are popular.

“Our cafeteria people are pretty good,” he said.

No Shea player has admitted to not having enough to eat at home, Ridore said, but he has had players tell him during games that they are hungry. Do they run out of gas?

“Absolutely,” he said. “Sometimes I’ll have Snickers bars in my bag and give one to them.”

Sodexho, the food service that operates cafeterias in Providence schools, has distributed backpacks of food to children through its Stop Hunger Program for some time. Distribution is through the school nurse.

When Whole Foods on Waterman Street offered to start a food bank at Hope, school officials decided to have the guidance staff supervise the program.

Teachers, coaches and advisers recommend students for the program.The students pick up their backpack of food every Friday. Some are athletes trying to help their families eat, never mind compete.

mszostak@projo.com