GRTC Gives Free Rides to The Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast
Attendees of the annual Community Thanksgiving Feast hosted by The Giving Heart at The Greater Richmond Convention Center can ride for free to and from the Feast on holiday-operating GRTC routes. This year, GRTC expands its free Feast bus ride service to more locations and all routes.
Any person wishing to attend the Feast may meet a Giving Heart volunteer upon boarding a GRTC bus between 9AM – 1PM on Thanksgiving Day. Volunteers will validate the free ride and direct guests to the Feast. GRTC will operate a Sunday schedule on Thanksgiving Day. The Customer Service Call Center will also be open on Thanksgiving Day to assist riders (804-358-4782, 8:30AM – 5:00PM).
Vicki Neilson, founding and executive director for The Giving Heart, said, “We are honored to partner with GRTC again this year. Thanks to our generous volunteers and GRTC, more guests can enjoy ‘food and fellowship’ and The Giving Heart can expand access to the Community Thanksgiving Feast to many in our Community.”
Doors open at 9:30AM for the Feast, with free Thanksgiving Dinner served from 11AM – 2:30PM. The entrance to the dining hall line is located at 5th and Marshall Streets. An ADA entrance is located on Marshall Street, between 3rd and 5th Streets.
“We are thrilled to offer free transportation in support of the Giving Heart’s Community Thanksgiving Feast. GRTC constantly seeks ways to give back to the community so we’re delighted to help people in our own small way celebrate and enjoy this day of thanks,” said GRTC Chief Executive Officer David Green.
The Giving Heart Community Thanksgiving Feast is a Richmond tradition since 2005, offering a free celebration of Community and welcoming all to the table for food and fellowship. Special emphasis is placed on identifying - and including - the homeless, elderly individuals, working class families, local military servicemen and those who otherwise would be alone during the holiday.
GRTC Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Adams said, “Thanksgiving is a very important day to come together, give thanks and share a meal. Providing service to the Feast gives us a small opportunity to show our appreciation.”
Volunteers from The Giving Heart will be stationed at the Temporary Transfer Plaza to guide guests from the bus bays to the Feast at the Convention Center. As dining guests leave after the Feast, they will receive a ticket for one return bus ride (valid only on Thanksgiving Day).
