The Span Center’s Friendship Cafés provide a welcoming, neighborhood space for older adults (60+) to enjoy nutritious midday meals and connect with friends. With 20 locations across Richmond and nearby counties, these cafés help combat social isolation by encouraging meaningful connections. Participants enjoy a range of activities, including exercise, educational lectures, creative arts and more.
Eligibility is open to older adults who are independently mobile and living in private residences. Each café provides a nutritious meal that meets daily dietary needs and activities that promote both mental and physical well-being. Managed by Food Service and Nutrition Managers trained in safe food handling, Friendship Cafés operate from 9:30am to 1:00pm, four days a week. Cafés are closed on Saturdays, Sundays and all major holidays.
This service is offered at no charge, though donations, which are voluntary, private and confidential, are encouraged.
Transportation is available at select locations – to learn more, contact:
The Span Center
(804) 343-3000
Email: [email protected]
To get started, please complete an application – see link below. Once we receive your application, a staff member will contact you to schedule a meeting and tour of the Friendship Café of your choice. Your application will be reviewed, an assessment will be completed, and final eligibility will be determined during that initial meeting. Family members may attend the café tour with you.
City of Richmond
- Good Shepherd Baptist Church
1127 N. 28th Street - CAPUP* East Senior Center
1103 Oliver Hill Way - Guardian Place
1620 N. Hamilton Street - Korean Senior Center
The Renaissance
1021 German School Rd. Richmond - Linwood Robinson Senior Center
700 N. 26th Street - Monarch Woods
6501 Jahnke Road - Randolph Community Center
1415 Grayland Ave
Chesterfield County
- Bon Air Presbyterian Church
9201 W. Huguenot Road - Market Square Apartments
7300 Taw Street - Rockwood Village
3901 Price Club Blvd. - Signs and Wonders
6415 Irongate Dr.
Hanover County
- Shiloh Baptist Church
106 S. James Street, Ashland - Montpelier Senior Center
17203 Mountain Road - Mechanicsville United Methodist Church
7356 Atlee Rd.
Charles City County
- Ruthville Gymnasium Complex
13100 The Glebe Lane
Henrico County
- Deep Run Recreation Center
9900 Ridgefield Parkway - Highland Springs Recreation Center
16 S. Ivy Avenue - Oakwood Memorial Baptist Church
3100 Gay Avenue - West Richmond Church of the Brethren
7612 Wanymala Road
New Kent County
- New Generation Church
6160 Pocahontas Trail
Powhatan County
- Powhatan United Methodist
2253 Rosson Rd.
Adopt a café
Consider adopting a Friendship Café today! The goal of the Adopt A Café Initiative is to provide individuals, community members, groups and organizations the opportunity to support their neighborhood Friendship Café by “adopting” a Café or becoming a “friend or sponsor” of a Café. Funds raised to support our Friendship Cafe’s help provide exercise and recreation equipment, life-long learning opportunities, games, craft supplies and more.
To learn more about adopting a cafe, contact:
The Span Center
(804) 343-3026 – ask for Missi Boyer
Email: [email protected]
