For many of us, the Richmond area provides a wealth of opportunities, from beautiful parks to incredible restaurants to great schools. But for an alarmingly high number of families in the Greater Richmond area, even the most basic needs are hard to access – including food.  Feed More, a local organization that has been feeding Central Virginia families for more than 50 years, reports that one in eight Central Virginians is food insecure, which means that 47,000 children, or one of out every seven, in our surrounding communities do not know when or from where they will receive their next meal. For many families struggling with food shortage, they must often make the choice between paying bills and supplying other basic needs or providing food that may or may not offer adequate nutritional value. Studies show that kids who have not had their nutritional needs met struggle with concentration at school and may face developmental delays. For these families, access to food banks and food pantries is essential to their health – and their well-being.

September is Hunger Action Month: Here’s How You Can Help

Hunger Action Month is a national awareness campaign headed by the Feeding America nationwide network of food pantries and food banks that is designed to help mobilize the public to take action on the issue of hunger.

Throughout the month of September, the Feeding America network is asking everyone to take action, whether by donating food, volunteering at local food pantries, or posting on social media and including #HungerActionMonth. For even more easy ways for you and your family to get involved, Feed More even offers a 30 Ways in 30 Days calendar with daily activities and ideas.

Help End Hunger in Richmond

If you’re looking for ways to get started here in Richmond, you can easily donate or volunteer at one of the the many local food pantries that support families struggling with food insecurity.

Donating food can be as easy as choosing extra canned goods and non-perishable food items during your regular grocery shopping trips to be delivered to a local food pantry. Or you can donate your time as a volunteer. Many food pantries run strictly on volunteer services and need help sorting food, distributing food, and doing general administrative and maintenance duties at their location.

With fall approaching and a number of significant holidays on the horizon, many food pantries are desperate for additional donations and resources. However, food donation is essential throughout the year and can easily be integrated in your family’s year-round schedule.

Donating to local food pantries is not only a great way to support your local community, but it can also be a great way for families to give back together.

To help you establish a food donation routine, we’ve put together a comprehensive list of food banks and pantries throughout the Greater Richmond area. We would encourage you to consider giving back to one of these great organization during Hunger Action Month – and throughout the year.

Food Banks in Greater Richmond: 

Belmont Community Resource Services

In 2004, Belmont United Methodist Church started a food and clothing pantry, which eventually grew into Belmont Community Resource Services. This nonprofit includes the feeding and clothing ministry, along with a number of other services designed to strengthen the local community. The food pantry serves all who come which includes more than 1,100 guests every week.

How you can help:

Each week, at least 50 volunteers are need to serve two and a half hour shifts to help keep the food pantry running smoothly. To sign up, click here. Monetary donations are also welcome anytime. Click here to donate funds.

Contact:

Address: 3510 Broad Rock Blvd., Richmond, VA 23234

Phone: (804) 297-2569

Broken Loaves Food Pantry

Broken Loaves is the food pantry ministry of Central Baptist Church and works in partnership with CCHASM, the Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry. Each week, the church collects donations of food and funds and volunteers from both the church and the community sort donations and often, purchase additional food from the Central Virginia Food Bank (Feed More). Nearly every Saturday morning, rotating teams of volunteers meet with clients from the Chesterfield County community to provide groceries and basic toiletries. Clients must be referred by CCHASM and pre-approved through CCHASM’s needs-assessment process.

How you can help:

Volunteers are always needed to donate non-perishable food items and to help sort and distribute the items to clients. Broken Loaves welcomes children, youth, and their families, making this a great place to volunteer as a group. To learn more about getting involved, ​contact the church office at (804) 794-8055.

Contact:

Address: Central Baptist Church (located in the activities building behind the church), 1500 N. Courthouse Road, N. Chesterfield, VA 23236

Phone: (804) 794-8055

CCHASM – Chesterfield Colonial Heights Alliance for Social Ministry

CCHASM was founded more than 20 years ago as a collaborative effort between the communities of Chesterfield/Colonial Heights and the Department of Social Services. Today, they have 25 Alliance Food Pantries working together to provide emergency food to thousands of families each year throughout the counties of Chesterfield, Dinwiddie, and Prince George and the cities of Colonial Heights and Hopewell.

How you can help:

Thanksgiving 2019 Meal Program
Every year, CCHASM teams up with the local community to provide thousands of Thanksgiving Meal Gift Package to families in Chesterfield County, Colonial Heights, Dinwiddie, Hopewell, and Prince George. Each package contains non-perishable ingredients to be used in the making of a Thanksgiving meal and includes a $15 gift card for the purchase of a turkey or other perishable food items.

​Donations are needed to help CCHASM reach their goal of 3,000 Thanksgiving Meal Gift Packages for 2019. These packages will help to feed more than 10,000 men, women, and children in the community. To help, you can:

• Pledge online by October 1, 2019 (packages are promised based on pledges received)
• Submit your monetary donation no later than November 1, 2019

• Donate food and gift cards at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds Exhibition Center (10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832) on Monday, November 18 from 10am – 5pm and Tuesday, November 19 from 12pm – 7pm. Click here to see items needed for the food packages.

If you would like to volunteer your time, volunteers 12 years and older are needed to help receive donations at the fairgrounds on November 18-19 and distribute packages on November 22-23. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Register online for the following times and activities:

• Monday, November 18 from 9am – 5pm (sorting/packing)
• Tuesday, November 19 from 11am – 7pm (sorting/packing)
• Friday, November 22 from 9am – 12pm (distribution to elderly & homebound and final packaging)
• Saturday, November 23 from 7:30am – 6pm (Package Distribution)

For year round contributions, monetary donations are accepted anytime to help support CCHASM’s food assistance program, as well as their other community outreach services.

Contact:

Thanksgiving Donation Site: Chesterfield County Fairgrounds Exhibition Center, 10300 Courthouse Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832

CCHASM Phone: (804) 796-3715

Monetary Donations: www.cchasm.org/support

Celebration Church & Outreach Ministry Food Pantry

As part of their overall mission and outreach service program, Celebration Church distributes groceries to those in need three days a week as a satellite center for Feed More. They serve those in the 23224 and 23225 zip codes. Their services include more than 500 people each week.

How you can help:

In addition to food donations, volunteers are need to drive their delivery van, prepare grocery bags, and serve and minister to guests. Contact the church’s main office at (804) 675-4101 or email [email protected] for more information.

Contact:

Address: 5501 Midlothian Turnpike, Richmond, VA 23225

Phone: (804) 675-4101

Email: [email protected]

Central Virginia Food Bank / Feed More

Feed More is Central Virginia’s core hunger-relief organization with a mission to fight hunger in the community by providing food and nourishment to the region’s most vulnerable populations – children, families and seniors. Feed More includes the Central Virginia Food Bank, which collects and distributes food to families in need, as well as a number of other important community programs. The following programs accept volunteers and donations. For a complete list of their available programs, click here.

Hunger Hotline:

The Hunger Hotline connects people across 34 counties and cities in Central Virginia with food and resources during emergency times. If you or someone you know needs help with emergency food assistance, please call 804-521-2500 or complete the Hunger Hotline Inquiry Form.

Kids Cafe:

The Kids Cafe provides made-from-scratch meals to children who might not otherwise have adequate nutrition at home have access to healthy foods. The meals are made in Feed More’s Community Kitchen and served family style as part of after-school programs in school zones whose free and reduced meal eligibility is greater than 50 percent. For information on specific locations or for more information on becoming a Kids Cafe site, please contact [email protected].

Weekend Backpacks:

While many children can access food during the school week, weekends can create vulnerability. The Weeekend Backpacks program provides children in need with a bag of food that is child-friendly, nutritious, non-perishable and easy to eat. Partnering with local schools, BackPacks are distributed every Friday so that children have up to six easy-to-prepare meals for the weekend. Volunteers assemble these bags weekly. Learn how you can volunteer here.

Summer Food Service Program: 

Feed More’s Summer Food Service Program is a major effort to ensure that thousands of children and teens receive healthy and reliable breakfast and lunch meals, free of charge, during the summer months. They provide free meals to children 18 and younger at nearly 50 sites across the Greater Richmond and Tri-Cities. While this program only operates during the summer months, you can learn more about it here.

Mobile Pantry:

Feed More’s Mobile Pantry, powered by Kroger, distributes thousands of pounds of food each month to people where they live in order to ensure access to healthy, nutritious food. With more than 30 distribution sites across the region, the Mobile Pantry program gets food to those who need it most, but have limited access. Learn more here.

Meals on Wheels

Feed More is a partner in this national program that focuses on providing healthy meals to homebound seniors and disabled community members. Meals on Wheels meals are delivered by local volunteers to more than 900 individuals throughout 14 cities and counties in the greater Richmond area. Meals are prepared in the Community Kitchen and delivered between 11am and 1:30pm, Monday through Friday (excluding holidays), with weekend meals delivered on Friday, with an option for flexible delivery schedules. Additional services provided by Meals on Wheels include free microwaves to those in need, pet food, birthday cards, and much more. Learn how you can be part of the Meals on Wheels service through donation and volunteer time here.

How you can help:

Volunteers (16+) are always needed at Feed More. However, food donations can also be made at their main office any weekday from 9am – 4pm or 24/7 in one of their outdoor bins. Donations can be made by hosting your own food drive privately or with a community group, or made individually. To learn more about Feed More’s vital community work, be sure to visit them online at www.feedmore.org or click the following links:
Giving Food 
Volunteering

Contact:

Address: 1415 Rhoadmiller Street, Richmond, Virginia 23220.

Main Phone: 804-521-2500

Administrative Office Hours: Monday- Friday, 8am – 4pm

Food Donation Hours: Weekdays, 9am – 4pm, but the outdoor bright orange donation bins are available for drop-offs 24/7.

General Inquiries: [email protected]

Chesterfield Food Bank

With a focus on ensuring that no one goes hungry, the Chesterfield Food Bank provides necessary food and nutrition for everyone, including single mothers, senior citizens, veterans on disability, young couples just starting out, and people who have lost employment and are struggling to provide for their families. They work in cooperation with local Social Services to identify and support these individuals. They offer five Chesterfield County distribution areas to ensure that everyone gets the help they need, as well as hot meals Monday through Friday evenings in the Jefferson Davis corridor area.

How you can help:

If you would like to assist the Chesterfield Food Bank, you can host a food drive or make a financial contribution. Monetary donations can be made online or in person at their main office located at 12211 Ironbridge Road, Chester, Virginia 23831. If you would like to volunteer your time, help is needed to organize and stock food at distribution centers, as well as with clerical work, food distribution, and much more. Click here to see a list of available opportunities and times.

Contact:

Food Bank Headquarters:
12211 Iron Bridge Rd, Chester, VA 23831

Phone: (804) 414-8885​

Email: [email protected]

Distribution Centers (other than the main office): 

Hopkins Road Elementary School:
6000 Hopkins Rd, North Chesterfield, VA 23234

Reams Road Elementary School
10141 Reams Rd, Richmond, VA 23236

Ettrick Elementary School
20910 Chesterfield Ave, Ettrick, VA 23803

J. A. Chalkley Elementary School
3301 Turner Road, Chesterfield, VA 23832

Event Inquiries: [email protected]

Commonwealth Catholic Charities

Commonwealth Catholic Charities operates with a mission to provide quality compassionate human services to all – especially our community’s most vulnerable populations. As part of their mission, they operate a food pantry in both their Richmond and their Roanoke locations, providing a three-day emergency supply of non-perishable food to those in need. In addition, they offer low income adults over the age of 60 may also be eligible for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) which allows for a monthly supply of supplemental food. Their Richmond food pantry, known as the Dibert Food Pantry, is open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9am – 12pm and is available to recipients once every 30 days. 

How you can help:

Commonwealth Catholic Charities has a number of ways to donate, including monetary donations that will go directly towards funding their many community services, including their food assistance programs. They also accept donations of goods and foods. Be sure to check out their wish list, then call (804) 285-5900 to schedule a drop-off/pick-up. If you would like to volunteer your time, food pantry helpers are always welcome! Click here to learn more about volunteering or to apply.

Contact:

Address: CCC Richmond Office, 1601 Rolling Hills Drive, Richmond, VA 23229

Phone: (804) 285-5900

To contact other CCC offices, including those in Petersburg, Chartlottesville, Newport News, and more, click here.

Goochland Cares Food Pantry

In addition to a wide range of family services and a free clinic, the Goochland Cares Food Pantry also provides food to those in need throughout Goochland County. Once a week, qualifying families and individual can shop for canned goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, milk, meat, bread, and household and personal items. The pantry is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9am – 3:30pm, Tuesdays from 9am – 6:30pm, and Fridays from 9am – 2:30pm.

How you can help:

The Goochland Cares Food Pantry accepts donations of non-perishable food items and household products like toilet paper and detergent. They also accept fresh garden produce and backyard eggs. Click here for a complete list of accepted donations. Donations can be made Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays from 9am – 3pm, Tuesdays from 9am – 6pm, Fridays from 9am – 2pm, and canned items can be dropped off in bins outside of the building any day after hours and on the weekends. To find out more about volunteering or to register as a volunteer, click here.

Contact:

Address: 2999 River Road West, Goochland, VA 23063

Phone: Terry Ebright, Food Pantry Manager, 804-556-6260

Email: [email protected]

LAMB’s Basket 

LAMB’s Basket is a food pantry that services the Henrico County community through volunteers and local church support. Run by the Lakeside Areas Ministries Board, LAMB’s Basket accepts food donation and volunteer help. Patrons are welcome at LAMB’s Basket twice a month for the first six months then need to reapply. The disabled and the elderly may continue coming twice a month as long as is needed.

How you can help:

Volunteers come from a number of local area churches, as well as the general public and must be 10 years or older. Volunteers 10 – 14 years old must be with a parent or guardian. Volunteers opportunities include stocking shelves, sorting, administrative help, assisting patrons with bags, and more. Click here to see a complete list of volunteer opportunities. Call (804) 565-8007 or email [email protected] to learn more.

Contact:

Address: 8419 Oakview Ave, Henrico, VA – 23228

Phone: (804) 565-8007

Northside RVA Food Pantry Partnership

The Northside RVA Food Pantry Partnership is a collaboration between three Richmond area churches designed to provide food assistance for those living in zip codes 23222 and 23227. Once a month, eligible clients can receive food from one of these three churches:

St. Paul’s  Catholic Church – Tuesdays
909 Rennie Ave., Richmond, VA  23227
(804) 329-0473
Client Hours:  Tuesdays from 10 am – 12 pm

To donate or volunteer: Click here for a list of items needed for donation or contact the church directly for volunteer opportunities.

Ginter Park United Methodist Church – Wednesdays
1010 W. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, VA  23227
(804) 262-8651
Client Hours:  Wednesdays from 10 am – 12 pm (Clothing Closet available during Food Pantry times.)

To donate or volunteer: Volunteers are needed to assist with providing  snacks and coffee to participants in the Food Pantry, loading food in upon arrival, and gleaning food from area businesses. Food donations are also welcome. To donate food, please place your donations in a bag with a note identifying it as a food donation and drop it by the church. Contact the church for more information or to get involved.

St. Thomas’ Episcopal Church – Thursdays
3602 Hawthorne Ave., Richmond, VA  23222
(804) 321-9548
Client Hours: Thursdays from 9:30am – 12pm
**Beginning October 3rd, the time will change to 2:30pm – 5pm

To donate or volunteer: St. Thomas welcomes volunteer help throughout the week for tasks like picking up donated food at Food Lion, warehouse shopping at Feed More, inventory management, and stocking, distributing and setting up/breaking down the food pantry during client hours. Click here to learn more or contact Liz Pearce at [email protected].

Potter’s Pantry

Potter’s Pantry is a partnership between Youth with a Mission and Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church that serves as an extension of Feed More. Potter’s Pantry collects donations from local stores and distributes them to families in the 23231 zip code. To be eligible, families must call the church office at (804) 222-4140 on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month. The first 20 families who call will be put on list with a day and time to pick up their food.

How you can help:

While food donations are received from local stores, in 2018, Youth with a Mission started a homeless outreach that serves extra food from Potter’s Pantry to the homeless on Friday nights and offers a Bible Study. If you’d like to get involved with helping to serve meals to the homeless, you can contact the Ministries Leader at Youth with a Mission, Jesse Carmichael at (757) 329-5136 or [email protected].

Contact:

Address: Carlisle Avenue Baptist Church, 2010 Carlisle Avenue, Richmond, VA 23231

Church Phone: (804) 222-4140

Volunteer with Youth with a Mission: Jesse Carmichael, (757) 329-5136 or [email protected]

Sophie House Food Pantry

The Sophie House Food Pantry provides access to food for single women, single moms, and their children. In addition to food, the Sophie House Food Pantry offers paper products and toiletries to qualifying and existing clients. They offer their clients access to the food pantry up to twice a month on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am – 2pm.

How you can help: 

You can drop off donations at any time during Sophie House’s community center hours which are Monday to Thursday from 9am – 3pm.  After hours, donations can be placed in the covered bin on their front porch.  You can sign up to volunteer at the food pantry here, or to pick up bread at Panera (8800 Staples Mill Rd) here. Before donating, be sure to look at their current needs list.

Contact:

Address: 4771 Shady Grove Rd., Glen Allen, VA 23059

Phone: (804) 658–5214

Tabernacle Baptist Church Food Pantry

The Hunger Ministry at Tabernacle works with the USDA program, TEFAP, to provide emergency food assistance to as many as 250 individuals each month in 27 zip codes. With the help of Feed More and donations (monetary and nonperishable food donations) from Tabernacle’s congregation and the community, they open their food pantry the second Saturday of each month from 8am to 11am. Anyone in need can pick up an emergency food assistance bag, with food for 2-3 days, and qualifying senior adults (age 60+) are eligible to receive one 30-35 pound supplemental food box each month.

How you can help:

To help support the Tabernacle Hunger Ministry, you can signup on the event calendar to volunteer your time, or if you are unable to donate your time, the ministry also has material needs. Some of the general needs of the food pantry include protein, toiletries, and plastic and paper bags that can be donated directly to the pantry.

Contact:

Address: 1925 Grove Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220

Church Phone: (804) 355-0134

Food Pantry Inquiries: Contact Maria McGraw, Sara Anne Burgess or April Kennedy at [email protected] with questions.

We’ve listed a number of food pantries and food banks throughout the Greater Richmond area, but there are many churches, schools, and other community organizations that also collect and distribute food for those in need. Likewise, many grocery stores offer donation programs, making it easy to donate as you shop. If you know of a food pantry or food donation program that you think should be on our list, be sure to let us know! Email anytime at [email protected].

In the meantime, if you’re looking for other ways to donate, be sure to visit our Resource Guide to Donations in Richmond for ideas!