Mutual aid group raising funds to keep free community market open

RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT)—A Richmond nonprofit is asking for help from the community.

It operates the Meadowbridge Community Market, a store on the city’s north side that provides families in need with free everyday essentials.

Mutual Aid Distribution Richmond is a group of volunteers who help people in the community.

The group runs Meadowbridge Community Market, and it needs your help to save the building and continue serving the community.

Each week, the non-profit helps hundreds of families. However, the building lease is ending soon.

“We’re trying to raise $90k right now. That’ll cover the down payment and the closing cost,” Meadowbridge Community Market volunteer Colleen Howarth said.

Howarth says many people in the community lack access to essential items, and the market aims to bridge the gap free of charge.

“We give away lots of food, fresh produce, protein, we also give away household items like cleaning spray, dish soap, as well as when we have like diapers and formula, as well as like feminine hygiene products – stuff like that too so its not just food its other supplies that people might need as well," Howarth said.

Howarth says the north part of the city lacks many things, so it is crucial to get the building to eliminate barriers.

“We recognize this area as being part of food apartheid no great access to fresh produce, not great access to food where you can actually make meals.” Howarth said. ”There’s not a lot of grocery stores around here and we’re serving 200 to 250 families so we hear from them every week on how needed this is in this part of the community.”

The free community market started in 2020, and over the last four years, its need has increased.

“Especially since the pandemic, we’ve seen really broken supply chains, and that has related to a skyrocketing increase to things you need to buy at the store. A lot of people that come to the store might utilize food stamps, but food stamps won’t cover everything that they need,” Howarth said.

If you want to donate to help the non-profit buy the building and continue serving the community, you can do so here.