Richmond Leads
Feeding and building community when it’s needed most
“At first it was two people, then four, then a whole team helping out,” says Kennedy High School student Manny Funes. In the first two weeks of April alone, students from Kennedy and Richmond High Schools distributed more than 1,000 meals to families in Richmond, right outside the Rich City Rides shop. They are students and members of the local bike community, mobilizing to give back.
The COVID-19 shelter in place has prompted some big changes for local bike shops and organizations that thrive on in-person events and community rides. At Rich City Rides, the loss of Self Care Sunday and the high school bike club meetings prompted leaders of all ages to seek out new ways to support and serve their community. Rich City Rides staff are keeping the worker-owned bike shop open, and student leaders from Rich City Rides’ Kennedy and Richmond High School bike clubs kicked off a Grab ‘N Go meal pickup station at the start of April, in partnership with the school district.
Manny Funes, who led the Grab ‘N Go meal pickup program, says the food pickup was “a chance to let the community know we are willing to help them.” The program has had to adapt to ensure safety and distancing requirements continue to be met for students and participants. As the shelter in place continues, Manny and his fellow bike club leaders are committed to serving their community. “We have the opportunity to grow as a group by spreading the word of what we’re doing, and I feel that could inspire more kids to join us and grow our family, not only as the bike club, but as Rich City Rides,” he says.
During the shelter in place and beyond, Rich City Rides is stepping up, always offering resources and human connection. For anyone considering getting more engaged in their local community, Manny has some advice: “Go for it. During these times we need more people willing to take the initiative to help their community.”
To connect and support Rich City Rides by volunteering or donating, reach out to info@RichCityRides.org or visit them at RichCityRides.org.
