PHOTOS: Richmond community celebrates Hispanic heritage with final ‘Lunch on the Block’

Oct 5, 2025 - 16:25

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PHOTOS: Richmond community celebrates Hispanic heritage with final ‘Lunch on the Block’

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- The Richmond community celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month with the final "Lunch on the Block" on Friday, showcasing the cultural heritage of the Hispanic and Latino community across the Greater Richmond Region.

The event, held at 900 E. Marshall Street on Friday, Oct. 3, brought together the Hispanic and Latino communities in the Richmond area for food, music and connection, and was presented by the Department of Neighborhood and Community Services.

Karla Ramos, the manager of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Engagement, said members coordinated with some of their community partners to "bring resources for the immigration community who speak Spanish."

"This is an opportunity to share culture through music and food, especially," she said, adding that "Lunch on the Block" includes multiple food trucks from Latin America.

Kimberly Hines, the program coordinator for the city, echoed that, saying they help support small businesses and introduce a rotation of food trucks.

Organizers said the reflects the city's commitment to "fostering thriving and inclusive communities where all residents feel seen, valued and connected," according to organizers.

Final "Lunch on the Block" in Richmond on Oct. 3. (Photo: Paul Nevadomski, 8News)

With tables scattered throughout the event, including information from the Department of Social Services, Department of Public Utilities and Department of Neighborhood and Community Services, city employees are given the chance to gather outside the workplace.

"This is an amazing opportunity for all of our city employees to mingle with some of our neighbors, workers in the area -- in the downtown -- and share the different meals, [as well as] improve and support food trucks and entrepreneurs in the city who come and sell their food."

Guests also got a chance to enjoy DJ Otoniel Ayala, a salsa performance by The Salsa Guy and a showcase of Panamanian traditional dance by Traditional Dance, per organizers.