Central VA campaign blows past $45K, now aiming for $120K to support immigrant food needs

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (WVIR) - What started as just an idea to support immigrant communities has blossomed into a full campaign for a coalition of nonprofits in Central Virginia.

Sin Barreras, Indivisible Charlottesville, Keep Going Together, the Central Virginia Community Support Fund and the Legal Aid Justice Center are part of the coalition behind the campaign.

When the grocery card campaign launched this spring, organizers set a goal to raise $45,000. Organizers have since surpassed that goal, raising more than $75,000 to fund emergency food needs for immigrant families.

“We’ve been surprised by the support. But it is reaffirming we have a general community that would help out families in crisis during an especially difficult and complicated time,” said Javier Raudales, executive director of Sin Barreras.

The campaign collects funds to distribute one-time, prepaid grocery cards.

“We’re incredibly excited. We’ve seen it as an opportunity to continue forward and keep addressing the needs of families in our community,” Raudales said.

Guinevere Higgins, with the Central Virginia Community Support Fund, said the campaign thrived because so many people stepped up to help.

“I think it’s a real testament to generosity in the community. You know, that we’re seeing a lot of people really wondering, what can I do to help?” Higgins said.

Higgins said the program provides a discreet way for families impacted by recent immigration enforcement to access support.

“We want to preserve dignity and choice for families that are, again, are just having a lot of their freedoms, really encumbered right now,” Higgins said.

Organizers say the coalition plans to keep adapting to whatever families need most. The coalition is aiming to raise an additional $45,000 by the end of the year, for a total of $120,000.

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