A Seat at the Table

How has this idea enhanced your club's operation, etc.?

We expanded our hospitality beyond the Club by creating a hands-on service opportunity that reinforced our core value of service. By partnering with CARITAS, a Richmond-based nonprofit that provides shelter, support, and recovery services for individuals experiencing homelessness and substance use disorder, members and staff to worked together in a meaningful way to support the broader community. The initiative strengthened cross-department collaboration and demonstrated how the Club’s people and resources can be leveraged to make a tangible impact beyond daily operations.

How was this idea implemented, and what have been the club members' reactions?

Members of the Food & Beverage Advisory Committee, House Committee, and CCV staff volunteered together to prepare and serve lunch at CARITAS’ downtown headquarters. More than 250 individuals—including shelter guests, recovery residents, and staff—were served during the event.

Feedback from participants and CARITAS staff was overwhelmingly positive. Volunteers expressed pride in serving together, and CARITAS shared appreciation for the dignity, connection, and sense of care created by the shared meal. The experience reinforced the value of service-based engagement as a meaningful extension of the Club’s culture.