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What we do
The Conrad Center provides a hot breakfast and dinner to those in need and is the only regular program of its kind in the Richmond area. Serving an average of 300 people five days a week, plusthe Conrad Center will prepare and serve more than 48,000 meals in 2010 alone.
In countless ways, our meals program offers more than something to eat. Every plate comes with a full-course, nutritious meal and is served in a clean environment that fosters mutual respect, gratitude and appreciation for others. The program opens the front door to Freedom House giving many the hope and encouragement they need to change their lives. In fact, the program serves as the first step toward recovery for many homeless persons.
Oftentimes,
individuals who first walk in the door as guests, return later as kitchen volunteers while working toward their recovery
- which in turn, offers support and inspiration to others.
The Conrad Center brings opportunities for renting out the mult-purpose room for events, meetings, and workshops. Contact Theo Woodson at 218-2369 if you are interested in renting the room.
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Who we help
The program serves both the homeless and the working poor who, for instance, may live in a small rooming house and do not have access to kitchen facilities or are working at minimum-wage jobs and cannot afford to prepare or purchase meals. Many guests struggle with addictions, mental illness or temporary financial hardships. No matter how guests arrive, The Conrad Center may be the only opportunity for some people to receive a hot and nutritious meal.
Who supports us
We are fortunate to have a strong volunteer base in Richmond, Virginia. More than 160 churches, civic organizations and businesses provide food and volunteers for The Conrad Center. Thanks to the efforts and in-kind donations of these organizations and volunteers, the meals program is able to serve nutritious meals for less than $3.00.
How you can help
The Conrad Center meals program receives no funding from local, state and federal government agencies; it relies entirely on volunteer support and donations.
Many organizations prepare and/or serve meals on a regular basis. Whether you are an individual or part of a group, please contact us to learn what volunteer opportunities are available.
Program history
In 1983 a group of concerned citizens from downtown Richmond recognized the need and started the initiative to provide a daily meal for the homeless and urban poor in our community.
The number of people who needed meals grew until Freedom House could no longer accommodate all the hungry people at its original location at 402 W. Grace Street . In 1986, The Evening Meal program, as it was originally called, was hosted at the Richmond Street Center, located on the corner of Canal and Belvidere Streets. When that facility closed, the meals program moved to the The Salvation Army location on West Grace Street. We are grateful to The Salvation Army for allowing us to use their facility while we worked to find a new location for the program.
The grand opening of the new Conrad Center was held on January 18, 2007. We started serving meals from the facility, located at 1400 Oliver Hill Way, on February 5, 2007. It has been a long journey to find a permanent home for this program. Now that the building is complete, we can focus on serving meals and begin adding additional support services to help those in need to overcome the issues that they are facing. |
