No Clean Water. No Grocery Store. No Way Out.

Imagine this: it’s snowing, the city just announced a boil water advisory, and your tap water isn’t safe to drink or cook with. Now, imagine the nearest grocery store is several miles away—if it even has bottled water left.

Oh wait…

This isn’t hypothetical. As I write this post tonight on January 6, 2025, this is the backasswards reality for many in Richmond. Living in a food desert means limited access to fresh food, clean water, and BASIC resources—especially during emergencies.

So, what can you do?

Well, some of Richmond’s most beloved artists have used Mending Walls as a platform to unapologetically challenge us all to own up to our shared responsibility about this struggle through public art you cannot ignore. Quite a few address inequities in food and water rights, amplifying and keeping the conversation alive. It is evident in murals like:

• “Silence Isn’t Golden” by David Marion and Meme, located on the side of
  Visual Arts Center of Richmond at 1812 W Main St, Richmond, VA 23220

• “We Want Clean Air, We Want Good Food, We Want Peace” by Mahari Chabwera and Barry O’Keefe, located at 2300 Richmond Highway, Richmond, VA 23222

  “The Golden Hour/Neogenesis” by Sarah Apple and Ron Stokes in the Sankofa Community Garden at 309 Covington Rd, Richmond, VA 23225

As a result, Mending Walls has collaborated with artists and organizations to bring awareness to ongoing initiatives happening right here in our own backyard. The organizations make it so easy for individuals like you and me to assist anyone denied fundamental human rights that there’s really no excuse not to.

How You Can Support

To HELP IMMEDIATELY— some simplest options are: 

• Place fresh food in any of the RVA Community Fridges: Fourteen community fridges and pantries are available 24/7 through the RVA Community Fridges organization. You can place fresh fruits or veggies right in the fridges so anyone in need can get to them as simply as possible. Check the RVA Community Fridges website or social media channels for donation guidelines and locations

• Add bottled water and non-perishables to the Little Free Pantries: Non-perishables, bottled water, and winter supplies go a long way. Find a local Little Free Pantries near you to add or take what’s needed to the mini food pantries. Several neighborhoods in Richmond have them, including:

  • Churchill has one on the corner of E. Marshall Street and Jefferson Ave

  • Carytown Little Free Pantry is at 3129 W. Cary St, Richmond, VA 23221

  • VCU has a network of mini pantries across the Richmond and Monroe Park campuses.

• Check on your neighbors. Call your friends: Community support is vital during these times. If you know someone living in a food desert or with limited or no access to fresh groceries and clean water, offer assistance or share this blog to help connect them with resources.

To HELP IN THE LONG-RUN

There are a few community partners that we’ve worked with to provide you simple start:

• Support local Urban Farms: Donate or volunteer at places like Sankofa Community Orchard in the southside, working tirelessly to provide fresh-grown produce to assist affected individuals and families.

• Assist in Community Partners’ initiatives: Getting involved in ongoing community support from organizations like Feed The Streets RVA’s food distributions, community cookouts, and free community closets can connect you with various resources and support, in addition to providing emergency assistance.

• Push for Policy Change: Advocate for better food and water access in city council meetings or through local organizations. Engage with local officials to address the systemic issues that lead to crises like this, ensuring long-term solutions for all residents.

This snowstorm will pass, but the systemic issues won’t unless we take action. How will you help?