Thank you for your continued support! We have quite a few updates, as the past few months have been a whirlwind of activity.
Williamsburg House of Mercy Food Project: This project is a direct response to the expressed and encountered need for food security resources for individual clients and surrounding agencies in our part of the peninsula. We are preparing warehouse space for the collection, packaging, and distribution of food at our new high volume. The warehouse space will allow us to focus on fresh food storage at our 10 Harrison Avenue space, while moving receiving, sorting, and packaging of our food pantry items to the warehouse.
Bridge to Home Shelter Program: We are grateful for grant partners, like the Williamsburg Community Foundation, Walnut Hills Baptist Church, and Williamsburg Rotary Club, who are helping ensure funding is available for this important program. Bridge to Home is an immediate intervention and alternative to individuals and families who are at imminent risk of or currently experiencing homelessness. We have seen so many individuals lose their jobs and encounter homelessness during the pandemic. This emergency response program provides the temporary and immediate aid and assessment before we move individuals to another housing solution.
Serving the Underserved: The past two weeks have been spent personally contacting and scheduling the underserved populations in our area for their COVID-19 vaccines. Thanks to the hard work of our staff and volunteers, more than 400 vaccines were received in the short span of 3 hours on one day! This is a tremendous step forward for long-term recovery of our community as families are able to confidently return to work.
Crisis Response: We also partnered with social services and local churches to respond to a local motel fire by providing case management and meals to those displaced. With 38 households impacted by this fire, we are grateful for the community’s quick and continued support as we work for the long-term stability of these families.
Easter Program: Our annual Easter distribution is underway with 504 hams being distributed, along with Easter baskets from a variety of individuals and community organizations!
