Richmond Friends Of The Homeless Ltd

Our second largest program provides clothing, blankets, shoes, and other comparable items. There are coat and clothing drives at specific times of the year. Additionally, items (especially clothing) come in regularly and are distributed on a daily basis. The groups bringing food on their scheduled day will often do more than food by bringing clothing and other needed items. These include warm winter items, clothing, shoes, sleeping bags, toiletries, and other items which bring comfort to our guests.

While our family and children's program is our third largest program as measured by expenditures, we feel in many ways that it is our most important. Services include mentoring, providing school supplies and book bags (both at back to school time and as needed), funds for field trips and graduation activities, and associated expenses for at risk children. We monitor progress in school and try to reward good grades and progress with a trip to mcdonald's or something similar. If we find a child with attendance issues it may be as simple as they aren't getting up in the morning and we do something equally as simple - providing an alarm clock. At times this has helped. Food is also provided through family shopping trips and classes on nutrition are held. Special attention is paid to graduating high school seniors - assisting them with fees for cap and gown, pictures, prom and senior trips. We address their needs as they enter college or trade school.