Christian Compassion Opportunities Close to Home

Food Pantry
Open Monday and Wednesday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Food may be donated by placing items in the cart located on the first floor hallway by the church offices. To volunteer or for further information, please contact Brenda Andrews. Here's a list of items needed...

Clothes Closet
Open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Donations of clothes are accepted and may be placed in the containers located next to the elevator on the lower level. To volunteer or for further information, please contact Brenda Andrews.

Grace Fellowship
Provides Bible study, a hot meal, fellowship, and worship time every Thursday night from 6pm to 8:30pm at the church. To volunteer or for further information, please contact Vicky Nicholau. Read more...

Showers
Open Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings from 10:00am to 12:00pm. Toiletries and towels are provided. Donations of toiletries (such as hotel soap and shampoo) are accepted in the first floor hallway shopping carts. To volunteer or for further information, please contact Brenda Andrews.

Sleeping Bags
Meet on Wednesday nights to hand make sleeping bags that will be given to the homeless. This is an important ministry to provide warmth and comfort to those without during cold nights. To volunteer or for further information, please contact Steve Blanchard.

CARITAS
First Baptist Church serves as a homeless shelter for one week during the winter months. Volunteers provide three meals, showers, recreation, etc, for our approximately 40 guests. To volunteer or for further information, please contact Steve Blanchard.

Operation Joy
A holiday ministry which provides Christmas joy to those in nursing homes, youth centers, hospitals, etc. by matching class, individual, or business sponsors with those in need. To volunteer or for further information, please contact Steve Blanchard.

New Americans Ministry
They are Here. They are New Americans. How can you be Christ to them? The Bhutanese New Americans Ministry at First Baptist Church reaches out with Christian Hospitality in many ways, such as home settlement, church attendance and tutoring. Learn more...

Community Partnerships
First Baptist Missions is part of a broader base of religious and secular organizations whose intent is to help provide a wide range of services to the Richmond community. FBC Missions partners with several area churches and organizations to provide tutoring, financial assistance, community and individual support, referrals, beautification projects, etc. For more information on these partnerships or how to get more involved, please contact Steve Blanchard.

Can you give someone a ride to church?
Every so often, church members or those wishing to visit First Baptist need a ride to church. They come from all over the city. Some are elderly, some are disabled, and some have no other means of transportation. If you would be interested in being on a list of those willing to offer rides to people in your area or on your way to church, please send your name and contact information to Steve Blanchard at Blanchard@FBCRichmond.org. When people call needing rides, the church will contact you to see if you are available.

Prison can be a lonely, neglected place.
A simple letter can make all the difference. Due to the blessings and popularity of our televised and webcast worship service, many people who are otherwise unable to physically attend, are able to participate and be a part of our Sunday morning worship. These include the sick, elderly, disabled, out of towners, and even those confined to hospitals and prisons. We receive several letters a month from inmates around the state seeking someone with whom to correspond. Many of these inmates claim to be Christians seeking a spiritual connection with other Christians and simply want to have someone to share their faith, concerns, questions, etc. Many of these inmates consider First Baptist to be their church and even support us with their tithes. All correspondence from the inmates comes to the church so your place of residence is not given out. Many people use only their first names. If you would like to be part of this ministry of encouragement, please contact Steve Blanchard at Blanchard@FBCRichmond.org.

Volunteer with one of our partner ministries in the area:
CARITAS and CARITAS Works
Second Baptist Church
Alpha and Omega Bible Church
McGuire’s Veterans Hospital
Department of Social Services
Charitable Souls Foundation (sleeping bags)
Commonwealth Catholic Charities
Virginia Council of Churches
West End Presbyterian Church
Westover Baptist Church
Office of Newcomer Services
V.C.U. School of Social Work
Habitat for Humanity
Meals on Wheels
Central Va Food Bank
Fresh Start for Single Women
Rosey Grier Youth Pavilion
Area Congregations Together in Service
Peter Paul Development Center