Richmond church needs funding to continue providing shelter to homeless
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) - As temperatures drop, Next Church RVA is facing a critical challenge to keep its doors open and continue providing vital services to the community. The church serves multiple hot meals a day, from Monday through Thursday until 2:30 p.m., but Pastor Remonia Keys and Bishop David Fitzgerald Jr. said they won’t be able to keep up with these services unless they can secure the necessary funding. "You know based on arrangement [and] just our finances, remember we are predominantly privately funded, you know, through donations and what we can do with the community," Bishop Fitzgerald Jr. said. "It was just such a challenge for us to financially keep up the rent.” If they can't raise enough money, the services, including their winter shelter for the homeless, may no longer have a place to operate. Bishop Fitzgerald Jr. said it could happen as soon as Jan. 1. The shelter has been crucial, especially after the City of Richmond stopped funding overflow winter shelters. “It has been my pleasure, my privilege, to serve the people because when I go home at night, I shed tears thinking about those like last night it was very cold, those who actually slept out in the cold," Pastor Keys said. In response to the cold, Next Church has expanded its hours, staying open for extended days to offer a safe, warm space for those in need. In addition to providing meals and shelter, the church also offers weekly showers, free clean clothes and a sense of community to those who need it most. Even if the building closes, Fitzgerald Jr. said the church will continue to serve food to the community from their cars. With winter approaching, Next Church’s efforts are more important than ever, but the future of these services depends on the community’s support. You can donate to the cause by clicking here.
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) - As temperatures drop, Next Church RVA is facing a critical challenge to keep its doors open and continue providing vital services to the community.
The church serves multiple hot meals a day, from Monday through Thursday until 2:30 p.m., but Pastor Remonia Keys and Bishop David Fitzgerald Jr. said they won’t be able to keep up with these services unless they can secure the necessary funding.
"You know based on arrangement [and] just our finances, remember we are predominantly privately funded, you know, through donations and what we can do with the community," Bishop Fitzgerald Jr. said. "It was just such a challenge for us to financially keep up the rent.”
If they can't raise enough money, the services, including their winter shelter for the homeless, may no longer have a place to operate. Bishop Fitzgerald Jr. said it could happen as soon as Jan. 1.
The shelter has been crucial, especially after the City of Richmond stopped funding overflow winter shelters.
“It has been my pleasure, my privilege, to serve the people because when I go home at night, I shed tears thinking about those like last night it was very cold, those who actually slept out in the cold," Pastor Keys said.
In response to the cold, Next Church has expanded its hours, staying open for extended days to offer a safe, warm space for those in need.
In addition to providing meals and shelter, the church also offers weekly showers, free clean clothes and a sense of community to those who need it most.
Even if the building closes, Fitzgerald Jr. said the church will continue to serve food to the community from their cars.
With winter approaching, Next Church’s efforts are more important than ever, but the future of these services depends on the community’s support. You can donate to the cause by clicking here.
