This is review number Maestro or Maestra a few notes on the piano if you please, TWO, DOS, YEE of…read moreSalvation Army in capitol of Richmond, Virginia, in Enrico County. Ninety six counties in Old Dominion State. The first person only gave One Star. Read any mine, any Food Bank that I write, any Salvation Army that I write, helps children of that town, of that state. This situation, helps the children in capitol town of Richmond, Virginia. I am glad support Salvation Army in Enrico County. Capitol idea is thinking of children with gifts to local Food Bank or Capitol idea is thinking of children with gifts to local Salvation Army. Best of luck to employees to volunteers of Richmond, Virginia Salvation Army Corps.

Just wanted to put out there this location is not a thrift store, this is a shelter. All the…read moreSalvation Army thrifts are now permanently closed unfortunately. You may want to research other thrifts in the area. This location also does financial assistance. The phone calls are only taken on Mondays at 8:30 a.m. They only help with rent that is only a month over due, Dominion Energy, gas and oil. They help with wood during winter months. There is a high volume of calls so you have to remain patient. Dial 0 to get directly to operator because it will incorrectly tell you to dial a 1 or some other number. If applying for DE (Dominion Energy) or gas financial assistants please have the account number ready to give to receptionist when you call it makes the process smoother. They usually have funding for the city of Richmond only but occasionally there is funding for both Chesterfield county and Henrico county.

Great place to stay if you are at the VCU hospital with a family member there. Rooms are clean and…read morethe setup is nice!! You can bring your own food because they have several kitchens and refrigerators. They have treated us with nothing but kindness!!

The Doorways is an amazing hospital hospitality house for patients and their families during a…read morehard enough time for them when they are away from home and need to be close to the hospital for treatment or support. Each day they host about 150 people from around the world. The Doorways relies heavily on donations and volunteers. Their are plenty of volunteer opportunities and my friends and I chose to provide and serve a meal. Their front desk staff was super informative and very welcoming. Their kitchen was huge and provided everything we needed to make dinner for the guest. We chose to do burgers; turkey burgers; green beans; baked beans; assorted chips and fresh salad. We did need to bring all of the food to be cooked and any additional or specialty seasoning we wanted to use. The kitchen had 4 of everything (stove, fridge, microwave, etc.) after preparing the meal you serve dinner to the residents around 6:30pm. Now cooking with my friends was so much fun but the highlight was definitely meeting the residents. All walks of life and just thankful for another day. This was such an rewarding feeling and we met some amazing guest. Mr Bryan, a resident there kept us laughing with his great spirit and personality. If you are looking for an opportunity to volunteer in Richmond Va I would highly suggest spending some time at The Doorways! I'm looking forward to returning.

With over 420,000 dead and 50 million Americans - including 17 million children - facing hunger…read moredaily, it can be hard to fathom the ongoing human toll of the pandemic, the resulting recession and the shameful lack of government assistance. To work through our understandable anguish, Mr. Rogers would advise us to look for the helpers. Thankfully here in Richmond, helping hands aren't hard to find. The folks at Feed More, Central Virginia's main hunger-relief organization, know the need well. In the year leading up to June they distributed 32 million pounds of food via 278 partner agencies across a service area stretching from South Side to the Northern Neck. By this summer they expect to have given out 44 million pounds of food. "The need grew by 50% immediately so that we were serving 161,000 individuals in the spring, and then when the boost to unemployment insurance ran out we saw another 50% increase to 241,000 folks needing assistance," says Doug Pick, Feed More's chief executive, noting that it used to get 50 calls a week prepandemic and now gets over 200. "That's one of the ways we know this is a real mess." Feed More hired seven additional chefs and five new drivers to supplement its already hundred-strong staff. Its kitchen now produces 20,000 ready-made meals a week mostly for seniors and the Meals on Wheels program. Every day 200 volunteers drive 96 routes to deliver meals for the week to a thousand seniors in the city and 800 more scattered around the region. With the pandemic's daily death toll still astronomically high, Pick can't imagine the need for assistance across Central Virginia decreasing anytime soon. "Food banks are normally designed for just the worst emergencies, but now we're being used for continual assistance and we're not built for that," he says. "The folks we serve are the first ones that fall into trouble and they're the last ones to get out of economic trouble." In his estimation, the federal government needs to step up and help keep folks fed. "We've been advocating for a 15% increase in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits because that's the only way to manage hunger at such a large scale," Pick explains. "Food stamps average out to just $4.50 a day per person. I tell people all the time our clients don't aspire to live off of SNAP. It can be done, but you have to buy stale bread, no produce, off-brand peanut butter." Until more assistance arrives for the average American, the Richmond Public Schools and Feed More will continue trying to fill the gap. "This pandemic has made really clear the haves and have nots of our country," Pick says. "We are a really well-run logistics business with a big heart, but hunger is not the problem - it's poverty."

The meals on wheels are not accepting any new clients per another agency…read more Of course the management at Feedmore can't be reached to verify this information. After some of these comments I can see why. Might add i donated to this organization for 25 years. The one that spoke highly doesn't sound like she has had any experience with being hungry. Now when I read the daughter's experience I am wondering what food the meals on wheels is preparing. Some of the food comes to us smelling and looking funny.

Ronald McDonald House Richmond has been a godsend. Our little one had to be scheduled for a long…read moreterm stay at one of the nearby hospitals and the hospital was out of beds for us to stay while he was in recovery . Luckily RMHR had some open space and we were allowed to stay during the duration of our little guys recovery. The staff is very friendly and the facilities very clean. They help families here by providing meals and a caring environment . The house rules are reasonable and common sense - no alcohol, no visiting guests during Covid , clean up after yourself, be respectful to other guest during quiet hours, etc. The house is a big help to us as our little guy's hospital stay will likely put a ding in our wallets. Their charity will greatly help us out financially since we don't have to get a hotel on our own. They recommend but don't require a suggested $15/night donation to the charity which I feel is more than fair. Thank you, Ronald McDonald House Richmond!

I love this place. Charities usually rub me the wrong way due to behind the scenes stuff that…read morenever gets anything done, but this place does everything correct. Very friendly staff members and volunteers whom are all super patient. Good food provided daily and it gives one peace of mind and the ability to focus in on the recovery of the patient

For nearly half a century, Virginia Pride has operated as an all-volunteer outlet aiming to…read moreincrease awareness and foster acceptance of LGBTQ+ people across Central Virginia. While its mission won't be changing, its capacity to fight for queer causes is about to get a boost thanks to a merger with Diversity Richmond. "This announcement has been in the works for two years," says Stephanie Merlo, president of Virginia Pride's board of directors. "Since 2015, our budget has gone up by 500% and we're doing a whole lot more advocacy as well, which has put a strain on our volunteers who run the whole organization." Once the paperwork is complete, Virginia Pride will officially become a program of Diversity Richmond with James Millner, the current volunteer executive director of Virginia Pride, working as a paid program manager. The advantages of the merger, however, go far beyond finally compensating one of their hardest-working members. "We have similar missions, but we bring different strengths to the table," says Luise "Cheezi" Farmer, chair of Diversity's board of directors. "We have the organizational infrastructure and the money that will help Virginia Pride grow. Some folks from their board will be coming over to join ours, so we will become a stronger, more inclusive organization." Although both Virginia Pride and Diversity have been led by cisgender, white, gay men for decades, over the last few years its activism and charity work have increasingly centered the lived experiences and daily needs of the broader community. With queer women of color leading both organizations' boards for the first time ever, that pivot towards greater engagement with Richmond's Black and growing Latinx populations isn't going anywhere. "We are making the effort to show up and lead," Farmer says. "You can't talk the talk and not walk the walk. We want people to know that we're inclusive and not just about white-male-led organizations. Diversity starts at home and you have to involve yourself in the community if you want it to grow." Last summer with the Black Lives Matter movement enjoying unprecedented popularity and Richmond's streets nightly swarmed with protesters, Merlo decided it was time to show solidarity. Watching her own father violently arrested over an unpaid traffic ticket as a child, she realized early on that unequal treatment before the law is a fact of life for people of color in America. In response, she worked with Virginia Pride, Diversity and a whole host of other local queer organizations to put together Stonewall Rising, a thousand-man march to the city's police training academy to call for change in the way officers learn to interact with the public. The list of groups that joined the call proved nearly as long as the rows of marchers calling for justice. "I was so hurt and bothered I wasn't seeing a lot of support coming from the LGBTQ+ community," Merlo says. "We as a community have faced our own challenges of discrimination and police brutality which is what the anniversary of the Stonewall riots really embodies. I hope that things change so we never have to do that again." Another issue upon which Virginia Pride and Diversity have grown closer in their collaboration over the past year is the pain caused by the pandemic. Lacking access to unemployment insurance and food stamps that have carried other households through, Richmond's Latinx community has shown itself to be especially vulnerable to the coronavirus recession. With hunger on the rise, the two organizations teamed up for a series of food drives. "Last year we provided a free week's supply of groceries to over 1,800 families," says Bill Harrison, president and executive director of Diversity Richmond. "The first two drives targeted local Hispanic communities as many Latinx people work in the hospitality industry, which has been hard hit by the pandemic. The third drive was open to all with over 800 families participating." The bounty didn't go unappreciated. With Feed More providing 8,000 pounds of vegetables and hundreds of pounds of frozen turkeys, hams and chickens to each event, the food drives proved incredibly popular. In 2021, they expect to make the event a quarterly affair. Until it's safe for in-person gatherings, many of the two groups' signature events like the Black & Bold Awards and Pride Fest will remain virtual. In the meantime, both Virginia Pride and Diversity believe the merger will help both organizations become better partners for their community and the region. "This deal gives us the organizational structure and the financial security to know Virginia Pride is going to be around for a very long time," Millner says. "We will continue to do the same kind of programming and advocacy work we've always done, so folks may not even notice the change."

In recent years the community center changed its name to Diversity Richmond, which I think better…read moreencompasses the work that is done here. Attached to the Diversity Thrift store, the center is a space for the greater Richmond community, of all sexual orientations, gender identifies, and faiths, to gather. As a nonprofit the space is donated for free to various events such as fundraisers, support groups, board meetings, play rehearsals, and worship services. It was the space where the community gathered for a vigil and memorial for the Pulse Nightclub victims in 2016, and will be hosting the inaugural Black Pride RVA this upcoming weekend. It also donates shoes and clothing to LGBTQ folks in need, particularly youth and those facing homelessness.

What a beautiful theatre experience, 5th Wall Theatre is a bold artistic team launching unique…read moreplays with talented entertainers! They are taking over the spot formerly called the basement and offer shows in the intimate space, I went opening night for their showing of Our Dear Dead Drug Lord. They had some of the most talented display of local actors and presented the story in a way that was engaging and an amazing use of the small space. They not only have the theatre space but also house a bar in the front that serves drinks and few desserts for enjoying before or during the show. The premier was phenomenal and I am so excited to see what else they brew up! This was a perfect show for the spooky season and their upcoming shows look really promising. I would definitely reccomend checking it out for a date night, night out or if you're interested in seeing some plays that are unique and not often in the rotation at other local theatres!

This is the go-to spay and neuter clinic for Richmond Animal Care & Control and they are very…read moreefficient and low cost. I brought my cat here to be neutered and he required a more invasive surgery due to unilateral cryptorchidism. I was able to drop him off in the morning and pick him up at the end of the work day. I was provided with thorough paperwork on what the procedure would entail and aftercare instructions, and was also given pain medication if my cat needed it. Other than being understandably loopy after surgery her was back to his normal self in no time and healed well. I absolutely recommend this vet for affordable spay and neuter for all pets.

Such a well organized and lovely experience here. I missed my appointment due to a fender bender…read morethat made me late for my initial scheduled date. They reached out via text to reschedule and it was only $25 rescheduling fee. Drop off and pick up were very smooth and easy. Affordable rabies and leukemia shots too. Highly recommend. Thanks PAL team!

Rag & Bones is a bicycle cooperative in Scott's Addition. Not to be confused with the luxury…read moreclothing label. I heard about it from a friend, but a lot of people (especially the people who are new to bikes) don't know it exists so I hope my review helps. They're fairly new to their current location and are still tidying up. The hours are listed on their website, but as of right now their walk-ins are Sunday 12-5, Tuesday 5-9, and WTF Thursday 5-8. There's also special events like bike-in movie nights and flea markets. When you come in you get access to their tools and boxes of parts, and a friendly volunteer will help you fix your bike. They ask for $5/hour donation for use of their space which is more than fair. I went to their WTF (women, trans, femme) night last week not knowing anything about bikes and in an hour I learned how to replace a handlebar and move my brake levers. They even gave me the handlebars. If you are a poor bike owner in need or just want to get to know your bike better, Rag & Bones is your destination. PS: Google maps gave me the wrong spot so when you're walking down Leigh Street with Ardent on your left, it's a little door a half block down.

This is a local attraction that can easily be missed. It is located right off of a highway entrance…read moreramp and on the Historic Slave Trail. The grounds are well maintained and kept. It is opposite of the side that the Lumpkin Slave Jail is located. You can take an underpass to walk freely between the two sites. This was the first designated burial spot for the city's enslaved and free residents of African ancestry, dating back to as late as 1799. This one and a half acres was considered poor quality and had no other use but the cemetery. It was also the site of public hangings. Other names the site has been known as Potter's Field, were Burying-ground for Coloured persons, Grave Yard for Free People of Color" and Grave Yard for For Slaves You will find a memorial obelisk here with a plaque dedicating the cemetery. Their is also a spot with a couple of information placards that look likes a spot that people hold rituals and leave sacrifices/personal effects. The vast majority of the grounds is low cut green space. Additionally, there is a vacant and decrepit building there. I do not know what it was prior, but it looks historical. This is a nice place to visit. I would not consider it a long stop, so I would probably couple it with a visit to the old Lumpkin Slave Jail and other nearby attractions to maximize your time.

Be on the look out because this landmark is easy to miss.This plaque is located on a bridge that…read moregoes over a park. Attached to the plaque is a rope going over the bridge and at the end of the rope is a noose. The area below was closed due to construction at the time of my visit. I apologize for no further information.