RICHMOND, Va. — Each morning, we take time to share details of a local business or organization that’s continuing the serve the community in our “We’re Open: Virginia” segment.
Little Hands Virginia makes sure babies in Central Virginia have the essentials to thrive from “Day 1.”
Demand for the nonprofit’s services has rapidly increased since social distancing went into effect. Little Hands works with more than 30 partner organizations. They’ve had to adjust their model since many of their partners’ offices are closed due to the coronavirus.
Founder and executive director Taylor Keeney says the team is doing a lot more contactless home deliveries and moving quickly to respond to the influx of requests.
In the last few weeks, Little Hands has provided more than 15,000 diapers to families who need them. They’ve also provided families with formula, essentials like soap and diaper cream, as well as car seats, strollers and baby clothes.
Here are a few additional ways Little Hands has supported the community in the last month:
- Put together boxes of baby basics (diapers, wipes, soap, lotion, diaper cream, formula, baby food) for RPS food distribution sites
- Bundled diapers for children coming into the VCU emergency department
- Provided diapers and toys to children in foster care through Virginia's Kids Belong
- Assisted moms seeking shelter through the YWCA with essential items like car seats, clothes, and other baby gear
- Supplied area homeless shelters with formula and diapers for families having trouble finding the items because shelves at stores were so empty
- Restocked diapers for families served through Communities in Schools and and Chesterfield County Public Schools Early Childhood Services
- And, continued to provide direct assistance* to families through many other partners including Family Lifeline, Henrico DSS, Richmond DSS, Chesterfield Public Schools, REAL LIFE, YoungLives Metro Richmond, Partnership for Families, and more (*Direct assistance means Little Hands has received a request specific to a family with items they need, bundled those items together, and delivered them either to the partner or family specifically for that individual)
How the community can help:
- Make a donation - Little Hands is seeing a huge increase in need and financial assistance will help them restock to continue to assist more children. Click here to make a monetary donation.
- Donate items - Little Hands has 7 donation bins around Greater Richmond (6 at YMCA's and 1 at Second Baptist Church); priority items include diapers, wipes, baby soap & lotion and diaper cream. Donation bins are outside Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Click here for a map to find your closest donation bin. A complete list of items we accept, as well as a link to our Amazon Wish list to send items directly, is available on the website by clicking here.
