Shalom Farms Awarded Funds in Q3 2024 Meeting!

​River City Givers met on Tuesday, July 16th at the Twin Hickory Library with 16 members present and one guest to select a worthy charity for 3rd Quarter 2024.  Two members shared their stories of these charities.  ​
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Diane Schriewer told us about  St. Francis Manchester, an assisted living facility located on the south side whose mission is to  provide an affordable, loving home and quality-assisted living care for older adults with limited financial means.  This facility is one of only a few Virginia communities who welcomes seniors unable to fully pay for their care.  On average there is an approximate $2000 per month, per resident gap between what residents are able to pay and the cost of operating this facility.  The board has to be very creative to bridge that gap. 
St. Francis has been the answer for affordable assisted living care for the past 50 years and continue to make that happen through all their efforts
Learn more about  St. Francis Manchester at  https://saintfrancisrva.org/
 
Susan Dennis  shared information about Shalom Farms, a local charity.  They have two farms that grow and distribute healthy food for people who have little access otherwise.  It does not stop there, they provide in other ways.  They have many volunteers to plant, weed and harvest the crops, it has forged some powerful friendships through their work. Shalom Farms hosts mobile markets within communities where neighbors can meet and chat while purchasing healthy food at affordable prices.  Shalom Farms also hosts RVA's Black Farmers Market at their northside farm.   Locals can buy farm vegetables along with other food items, all while creating a sense of community.
With increased production, storage and cooling space has become a problem.  They are in need of both of these items and would use our funds if they were the chosen charity.   Learn more about Shalom Farms at  https://shalomfarms.org
 
As the votes were tallied, Shirley Carly, GLSEN Board Member  told us more about the organization, their mission, the current goals and activities and how they plan to spend the funds.  The chapter supports students and educators locally. They are organized around LGBTQ affirming policy and plans for teacher training, They also support and conduct a Rainbow library project in school libraries. She said they were so thankful for the award and absolutely thrilled to have been chosen.  

Balloting  Results:
For the first time ever and after Linda counted twice we had a tie vote which resulted in a second round of balloting.  That step again was a tie.  Per the bylaws the charity names are placed in a container and one is drawn. 
Shalom Farms was chosen to be awarded this quarter's funds.
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