RVA’s Feed the City in Monroe Park Was Something the City Could Be Thankful For

With Thanksgiving just around the corner, many people are desperately trying to figure out how they are going to feed their families and themselves this holiday season. With many unemployed and under employed families, this thanksgiving holiday may not be as joyful for some. Thankfully, through the hard work and collaborative efforts of some fantastic businesses and entrepreneurs, over 200 men, women, and children will get warm winter clothes and Thanksgiving meals. 

This year, we celebrated the third annual Feed the City Event inRichmond’sMonroePark, Sunday afternoon. A day that was blessed from the start with a perfect weather forecast, just so that participation was in full effect. Moreover, participation was surely appreciated as the park was filled with volunteers (including the GaptoothDiva’s mother herself, Marchell), more volunteers and vendors (Noah- O and Young Yankee from Charged Up Entertainment) and so many grateful individuals who came with smiles and open arms. 

It was heart warming to see so many selfless individuals donate their time, food, and clothing for those that did not have those essentials for the holidays. I hate to use the words “less fortunate”, because although some may lack food and winter clothes, most of the people that benefited from this event knew and understood what a blessing was, and they were some of the most fortunate people around. Blessings and fortunes come in all shapes and sizes, but for the people that took part in this event, they came abundantly. 

The energy was intoxicating as volunteers laughed and interacted with one another and the people of the city. Even before entering the park, I saw smiling faces pushing shopping carts up the street filled with bags of food or clothes. Preparing for the winter and excited with their new items. I appreciate receiving the invite from Tamir Rock, (who according to Noah-O, later performed at the Camel for his monthly Re-birth event) who along with family and friends came up with this spectacular opportunity to give back to the city. It was truly a blessing to see that many people come together with one main purpose, to give back. Something about the atmosphere made me even more grateful for the life I have and people in it. Those walking around feeling hopeless and unloved would have changed their tune had they stood where I stood yesterday afternoon. 

This holiday season and beyond, I pray that you look within yourself and look into your life, we all have so much more to be thankful for than we know.

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