Because We're Better Together

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WHO ARE WE?

We are a solidarity network of community members and organizations working together in Richmond, Virginia to help each other.

Mutual Aid Distribution Richmond (MAD RVA) or Richmond Mutual Aid aims to create a support system in response to COVID-19 and the effects it has had on Richmonders, including supply shortage, job losses, and long-term quarantine. We operate collectively and primarily work to redistribute food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and other vital goods. We also have a mini-grants program and are developing other supports, forming partnerships across community, and demanding policy shifts towards equity and social justice while navigating the undetermined timeline of effects on our community.

Use this site to become a part of the network: receive supplies and financial support, offer your goods and services, donate needed items and funds, and dedicate your time to community mutual aid.

With love and solidarity, MAD RVA.

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REQUEST, DONATE,

OR JOIN US

REQUEST SUPPLIES OR

A MINI-GRANT

MAD RVA is not currently taking requests for delivery of supplies and food, but will resume deliveries in the future. Please come see us at Meadowbridge Community Market instead! Meadowbridge Community Market is a free grocery and supply store located in Northside. It is a place for all people, because everyone deserves free and easy access to food and other basic needs. We do not require any identification, proof of income, or personal information for someone to be able to shop. We encourage folks to take only what they need from the store and share what they have with others when they can. Please see below for hours and address. We have also developed this food and clothing resource list for folks to find other help in Richmond: bit.ly/mad-food-resource-list. Feel free to send us an email with any questions at richmondmutualaid@protonmail.com.

Meadowbridge Community Market is open on Saturdays from 10AM to 4PM! We are closed on Tuesdays now for the foreseeable future due to lack of funds, but aim to open on Tuesdays again once we raise more money. We will be closed on 9/2 as well.

Address: 3613 Meadowbridge Road

MAD RVA also offers direct financial assistance through our mini-grants program.

Mini-grants are $200 and can be used for anything. We prioritize marginalized and vulnerable groups. Each person is eligible for two grants per year. Applications are accepted on the set dates below and will close once we reach 50 applications. The link to the application is below or if you'd like to fill out an application on the phone or have any questions, call or text 804-362-0624 and a volunteer will get in touch with you. Filling out an application does not automatically mean it is approved. Please expect to be contacted about approval. If you are approved, the mini-grant will take up to 5 weeks to send. We offer mailed checks, cash delivery, or payment via Venmo. Any application received after that months cycle and before the new cycle opens will not be considered.

2023 Mini-Grant Open Application Dates:

April 14th

May 14th

July 14th

August 14th

October 14th

November 14th

Apply for a Mini-Grant

DONATE SUPPLIES OR FUNDS

We operate our services through community connection and support. If you have resources to give your neighbors, you can donate vital supplies currently needed or give funds to help us get those things. Please review the list of items we are accepting and info on how to donate items below. We are also raising funds to ensure our sustainability and encourage folks to become monthly sustainers if they are able to. See below for ways to donate funds!

SUPPLY WISH LIST

Please note! All items must be new or unused. We do not accept clothing donations or any item not listed here. We do not accept cloth or surgical masks as they are not as effective.

CONSISTENT NEEDS:

Clean paper bags

NON-PERISHABLE FOOD:

Cans: fruits, meats, vegetables, beans, soups, pastas, chilis
Dry goods: rice, beans, pasta, flour, sugar
Snacks: granola/chewy bars, applesauce, chips, popcorn, cookies, nuts, etc.
Pantry staples: cooking oil, spices, condiments, pasta sauce, peanut butter, jelly, oatmeal, cereal, juice, ramen, pasta/rice sides, boxed mac and cheese, mashed potatoes

PERISHABLE FOOD:

Produce: any! potatoes, onions, carrots, apples, oranges, and other fruits are extra helpful
Dairy: cheese, milk, eggs, butter, yogurt
Meats: any! bacon, hotdogs, sliced deli meat, ground turkey, ground beef, and chicken products are extra helpful

Plant-based alternatives: soy or nut milk, tofu, tempeh, vegan cheese, etc.

Frozen foods: any! frozen meats and meals are extra helpful

CLEANING:

All-purpose cleaning spray, disinfectant wipes, dish soap, hand soap, sponges, bleach, kitchen trash bags, paper towels, laundry pods or liquid detergent, dishwasher pods

HYGIENE:

Shampoo, conditioner, body wash (liquid or bar), body lotion, toothpaste and toothbrushes for kids and adults, mouthwash, deodorant, toilet paper (individually wrapped preferred), menstrual products, adult diapers and bladder control pads

FIRST AID & PPE:

First aid kits or wound care items (bandages, dressings, alcohol wipes, rubbing alcohol, ointments), OTC pain relievers and cold/flu medicine, N95/KN95/KF94 masks for adults and kids, hand sanitizer, rapid COVID tests

BABY:

diapers and pull ups, wipes, formula, hygiene items (shampoo, body wash, lotion, oil, powder, cream), bottles and nipples

SUPPLY DROP-OFF INFO

Material donations will be accepted at our backyard gate during store open hours and by appointment via email. Please wear a mask when dropping off donations. All items will be inspected by our volunteers first, no junk or trash please! Do not leave any donations outside of the building - this creates extra work that we don't have the capacity for. Check our Instagram story (@mad_rva) or send us an email for any updates.

BUILDING ADDRESS:

3613 Meadowbridge Road

DONATION HOURS:

Saturdays 10am-4pm

Or by appointment via email!

DONATE $$$

Venmo - @RichmondMutualAid

Paypal - /RichmondMutualAid

BECOME A MONTHLY SUSTAINER:

Meadowbridge Community Market: Givebutter - /MeadowbridgeCommunityMarket

Mini-grants: Patreon - /RvaMiniGrants

You can also donate funds using a credit or debit card by clicking the link below:

Donate Funds

JOIN THE COMMUNITY

MAD RVA runs on the work of community members acting in solidarity with each other. Roles may include helping at the store during open hours, shopping for items, stocking items, driving deliveries, and cleaning the space. We also need people with skills of all kinds; including graphic design, fundraising and grant writing, accounting, outreach, training, media and communications, and anything in between. Mutual aid is everyone together! We are currently finalizing a new onboarding process for folks to become involved with us. Fill out the volunteer interest form below to get started! We will reach out as soon as we can. Got questions? Email us at richmondmutualaid@protonmail.com

Volunteer Interest Form

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