ACC has a long history with the Greater Richmond Interfaith Program (GRIP)
ACC members have been involved with GRIP since its founding in 1966, when 40 congregations came together and established it as an interfaith, multiracial coalition to address social justice and poverty. Originally emerging as a collective response to local need, it has grown into a major multiservice agency, offering emergency housing, daily meals through the Souper Center, and comprehensive case management . For many years, there was always someone from ACC (often from the Mission Board) who served as our representative at GRIP annual meetings. Very early on, ACC members like Bill Laurie, Guy Colburn, and Rich Moorish were on the board of directors. Betty Hoye was involved via the ACC Mission Board. Al and Phil Miner were also possibly involved, along with their work with North Richmond’s Community Center.
In 1971 GRIP opened their first Food Pantry, setting the stage for expanding services. The Richmond Emergency Food Pantry later became independent of GRIP and the all volunteer pantry still thrives in Richmond. An ACC member has served on its Board of Directors for several years. The Pantry volunteers are treated to a luncheon every Spring.
Next week will be the 3rd time, ACC has offered our Social Hall for that celebration.
ACC has supported GRIP’S Souper Center once it was built in 1985. It serves hot lunches 365 days a year to anyone who walks in hungry. Teams from ACC have for many years made sandwiches in the Center under the direction of people like Jim Gallardo, Ellen Webster, Linda Young, Joe Pratt, and now Julie Stockstad and her team. During the Pandemic, we started making them in the ACC Kitchen. The 200 sandwiches the ACC team makes every 3rd Tuesday and every 5th Thursday are delivered to the Souper Center. When there are extras, they are delivered by GRIP to homeless encampments in the area.
During the 2000s GRIP organized a Winter Shelter that rotated its location from Church to Church. GRIP Trucks brought in mattresses and bedding for ACC’s 2 weeks of sheltering in the Social Hall. ACC members helped children with homework, and served breakfast before guests went out for the day to search for work.
In ACC’s 2006 Annual Report, the Board of Missions and Social Justice Reported:
After five years of planning and fundraising, this 40-year old coalition (GRIP) of 40 congregations serving the West Contra Costa County homeless population, completed construction of its $3.5 Million integrated services center in 200 (built on top of the Souper Center). This 12,000 square foot facility allowed GRIP to consolidate its core services – food, shelter, and support service to the homeless in one location. It has 75 beds for emergency and transitional housing, a modern kitchen and dining room, and staff office. This enables GRIP to serve 200 clients and 100,000 meals annually. ACC played a significant role in making this facility a reality.
On visiting, you’ll find the name of an ACC family recognized in the children’s play-room where resident children can play, and where youngsters are now receiving trauma treatment. For the first years, ACC sent a team every month so cook dinner for the residents and now budgets yearly funds to help with shelter dinners.
In 2022 GRIP appointed Ralph Payton as Executive Director to lead the organization. He has brought a wealth of experience and expertise to improving services at GRIP including developing partnerships with other organizations to collaborate and expand on services.
And now in 2026: GRIP has been selected as the 2026 California Nonprofit of the Year for its community impact which now serves 15,000 individuals annually, providing over 55,000 meals, and transitioning many to permanent housing.
ACC members have every reason to be pleased with our history with GRIP – This is part of Being the Church.