Local church stays open through storm to help those in need

Awaken Church RVA stayed open for six days during a winter storm, offering warmth, meals and shelter with help from local partners; the church plans to deactivate on Friday as guests are moved to other shelters.

Awaken Church RVA stayed open through a severe winter storm to provide a warm place, meals and other support for people experiencing homelessness and those displaced from shelters. The church had planned to operate for 48 hours but continued for six days as icy, below-freezing conditions persisted. Staff and volunteers worked with local partners to serve hot meals, hand out bagged lunches and keep facilities powered. Church leaders said the effort aimed not only to offer warmth but to connect guests with other needs and services. Key details: - The church operated for six days after initially planning for 48 hours. - The building hosted roughly 75 to 125 people at capacity during the response. - Meals and bagged lunches were provided with assistance from the Chesterfield Food Bank Outreach Center. - Partners included A Place of Miracles Cafe and Clothing Cottage, Backpacks for the Homeless, and Modern Richmond Builders, which supplied a generator and heaters. - A man was found dead under a walkway near a Richmond community center on Jan. 27; below-freezing temperatures were reported as a possible factor. - The church plans to pause operations on Friday so team members can rest, and current guests will be transported to other Richmond shelters that are reactivating. Summary: The church's response provided immediate shelter, food and basic care during the storm and showed coordination among several local groups. The church plans to pause operations on Friday to allow staff and volunteers to rest while guests are moved to other shelters, and leaders intend to discuss plans afterward.