On April 18th, GRIP was thrilled to welcome a team of bright and enthusiastic Richmond high school students from the Plant to Plate (P2P) internship program to kick off the next phase of our community vegetable garden.

These student interns, guided by P2P staff, rolled up their sleeves and got straight to work—clearing space, preparing soil, and beginning to lay the foundation for what will soon be a thriving garden space for our shelter families. Their energy, teamwork, and commitment to community service were inspiring to everyone on site.

This hands-on day marked the beginning of an exciting partnership that brings together youth development, food justice, and family well-being. As the garden grows, these student interns will return to lead educational workshops for children and parents staying at GRIP, helping families connect with fresh food, learn basic gardening skills, and experience the therapeutic joy of cultivating something together.

We’re deeply grateful to Plant to Plate for their vision, and to the students whose efforts will help turn this space into a source of nourishment, learning, and healing for our community.

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GRIP cares for thousands of people experiencing homelessness and food insecurity in the West County area.  As a family shelter, it’s one of the few places where couples and kids can stay together. GRIP focuses on solving people’s most basic needs first, then caring for them as they get back on their feed and even later return to help others follow in their footsteps.

You can give to GRIP with your monetary donations or by donating clothing, sandwiches, toiletries, towels, jackets, even blankets, duffel bags and luggage.