Care is Resistance: Food Collection Kit

A Guide for Participating Care Teams, Organizations & Community Partners

Thank you for joining Care is Resistance. This project is an opportunity to gather your workplace, faith community, school, neighborhood, friends, or organization to care for one another in practical and meaningful ways.

Big or small, you gather the team — we’ll provide the simple project.

1. What Is a Care Team?

Care Teams are groups of people who come together to support Health Brigade patients and programs through food collections, supply drives, volunteer support, and deliveries.

This project is rooted in:

• Community care

• Mutual aid and solidarity

• Cultural dignity and connection

• Health equity and access

This is not a general food drive. The collections are intentional and curated to reflect the needs and cultures of the communities we serve.

2. How the Food Collection Project Works

Participating groups will:

• Host a food and/or supply collection

• Invite community members to contribute requested items

• Coordinate donation drop-off or pickup with Health Brigade

• Help build a culture of care and connection in Richmond

Your collection can be:

• A one-time event

• A week-long collection

• A month-long drive

• A small neighborhood effort

• A larger workplace or community campaign

All participation matters.

3. What We’re Collecting

Care Teams may choose to support one or more collection categories:

Latin Community Pantry Boxes

Shelf-stable food items commonly used within Latin households and family cooking traditions.

Afghan Community Pantry Boxes

Shelf-stable pantry items reflective of foods commonly used within Afghan households and cooking traditions.

Household Essentials & Hygiene Supplies

Basic necessities that support health, dignity, and stability.

Harm Reduction Supply Support

Requested wellness and safer-use supplies that support Health Brigade’s comprehensive harm reduction programs.

Health Brigade will provide:

• Curated shopping and collection lists

• Printable item guides

• Information about priority needs and requested quantities

Please Do Not Donate

• Expired items

• Opened items

• Damaged packaging

• Homemade foods

• Highly processed snack foods unless specifically requested

4. Setting Up Your Collection

We recommend placing collection boxes in:

• Entrances or lobbies

• Break rooms or community spaces

• Reception desks

• Shared gathering areas

• Events or meetings

Please ensure boxes are:

• Clearly labeled

• Easy to access

• Sturdy and visible

• Checked regularly for overflow

Health Brigade can provide:

• Printable signage

• Collection box labels

• Social media graphics

• Sample outreach language

• Guidance on setup and logistics

5. Sharing the Project

One of the most important parts of this work is inviting others into community care.

We encourage Care Teams to:

• Share why this effort matters

• Connect the project to community care and solidarity

• Highlight the importance of culturally responsive food access

• Invite friends, coworkers, neighbors, or congregations to participate

Health Brigade will provide:

• Sample social media posts

• Newsletter and email language

• Flyers and signage

• Suggested messaging and outreach tools

6. Suggested Timeline

We recommend a collection period of 2–4 weeks to maintain energy and participation.

Suggested Flow

• Week 1: Launch and promote collection

• Week 2–3: Continue collecting and sharing updates

• Week 4: Final collection and coordination

Your Care Team can choose a timeline that works best for your group.

7. Donation Drop-Off & Pickup

Care Teams may:

• Deliver collected items to Health Brigade

• Coordinate scheduled pickup (if available)

Before drop-off or pickup:

• Pack items securely in boxes or bags

• Separate damaged or questionable items

• Label donations if collecting multiple categories

Additional delivery coordination guidance will be provided as needed.

8. Volunteer Opportunities

In addition to hosting collections, community members can also support by:

• Sorting donations

• Packing pantry boxes

• Delivering food boxes

• Transporting supplies

• Assisting with project logistics and outreach

9. Support From Health Brigade

Each participating Care Team will have access to:

• Curated shopping lists

• Printable materials and signage

• Outreach templates and promotional resources

• Delivery and logistics guidance

• One-on-one support as needed

We are here to help make participation simple, accessible, and meaningful.

10. Framing This Work

Care is Resistance is rooted in the belief that care itself is powerful.

By participating, your group is helping:

• Reduce barriers to food and support

• Honor cultural food traditions

• Strengthen community connection

• Support neighbors with dignity and care

• Continue a long history of mutual aid in Richmond

Thank you for being part of this work.