Rhonda Lynn Sneed remembers how shocked she was to see people sleeping in the doorways of retail stores on Broad Street after she moved to Richmond.

“I’m from New York, so I was used to seeing homeless people living in cardboard boxes or lying on heating grates,” says the retired U.S. Postal Service employee. “But I was surprised to see the same conditions here. And to see people without blankets, I just didn’t expect it.”

Her solution: Cook soups and stews in her Crock-Pot and provide the homeless with some hot food. The mother of five grown children, who is now raising two grandchildren, began her daily feeding mission in late winter 2013.

“I was just trying to help five or six people,” she says.

But as she continued her work with two friends, Cathy Davis and Beverly Booker, she found more and more people needed food wherever she stopped.

Three years later, as she struggled to keep up, she took Ms. Davis’ advice and posted information on Facebook about her work and asked for assistance.

She says she was amazed and grateful when people began responding.

“At first it was 25, then 100, then 200,” she says, and “it has grown now to nearly 1,600 people” ready, willing and able to donate time, food, goods and other assistance.

They even helped give the growing group a name, “Because We Care We Are Blessing Warriors.” This is just people helping people. There is no government support, she says.

With donations from members, Ms. Sneed now distributes coats, underwear, socks, blankets and insulated overalls, along with food.

“I just have to put out a call that I need something, say 30 coats, and within a few hours, I’m either picking them up or someone is bringing them to me. It’s like magic. So many people want to help. They just needed a way to do it,” she says.

One member built a storage shed behind her house and set up a freezer so she could store donated food. “He just showed up and did it,” she says.

Ms. Sneed still handles most of the cooking for an operation that feeds more than 100 people a day across Richmond, often providing the only service to such individuals who mostly avoid from more traditional food programs.

She rises three days a week at 3 a.m. and spends three hours hard-boiling 200 to 300 eggs to distribute. And then there are the sandwiches and the hot food items she takes in insulated carriers. Last week, she had six pork roasts cooking in her oven, waiting to be sliced up for meals.

Ms. Sneed knows that she is not alone in feeding people. She’s aware there is a coalition of Jackson Ward and Downtown churches that rotates providing lunches for the homeless and working poor, for example.

She also has met individuals and leaders from other groups that serve the homeless and have long distributed meals and food on weekends in Monroe Park and are now continuing the practice in Abner Clay Park.

Others distribute food on holidays.

What makes the woman with the big smile different is her willingness to take the food to those in need, says Ms. Davis. She has a passion for doing what she is doing.

Ms. Sneed believes that people should get the food they need without any red tape or requirements. “People can’t always get to a feeding center,” she says. “Sometimes they’re too far away or they’re ill. I go to them.” Her willingness to travel has earned her the trust of people who live in the shadows. Some allow her to come to their often illegal tent sites to bring meals and her trademark hugs.

On any given day, she drives 100 to 150 miles in her Nissan truck to get to the sites where the homeless are staying. She knows about homeless camp sites in places most people think of as prosperous, such as Short Pump and along Parham Road.

She knows where to look in suburban Chesterfield, as well as in areas of the city that are equally popular hangouts for people who lack shelter.

One day a week this winter, she and her group have pitched in to provide food to people staying in the city’s Overflow Shelter, providing a respite for Food Not Bombs, which handles this effort most of the week.

Along with a daily route, Ms. Sneed hands out her phone number to those she meets and tells them to call if they need help.

“They don’t abuse it. I get calls when there is a need,” she says. And whenever a call comes in — and it can be midnight or later — Ms. Sneed is ready to make up a meal and head out.

Why does she do it?

“I can’t stand to think there are people going hungry and I’m not doing something about it. It makes me happy to provide a meal and clothing where I can.”

Meet this week’s Personality and giving activist, Rhonda Lynn Sneed:

Occupation: Retired postal worker. Served in U.S. Air Force for four years.

Date and place of birth: July 25 in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Current residence: Richmond.

Education: Some college.

Family: Children, Christopher, 38; James, 37; Derek, 33; Cherise, 29; and Kimberly, 25. I’m currently raising two grandchildren, Ariana, 8, and Xiomara, 4.

When and why I moved to Richmond: I’ve always loved the diversity of country life versus city life.

Because We Care We Are Blessing Warriors is: Proof of what God can do with faith the size of a mustard seed.

Foremost mission: To help the immediate needs of people in crisis — homelessness, hunger, lack of clothing, and a listening ear. Sometimes a hug is all it takes to help someone keep it together; to introduce people to my Lord and Savior so they come to know Him who will provide all their needs.

Why I am excited about this organization: I have seen a change. I have seen and continue to see love in action. People of all nationalities, all walks of life, all levels in the desire to help make a difference. 

Why this organization is needed: There are too many critical care needs and way too much red tape. If someone hasn’t eaten in two days, giving them a local pantry address or number does no good for someone with no money, transportation or a means of cooking food. Someone sleeping in a doorway with no protective clothing runs the risk of freezing to death. The immediate need is warmth. In 100-degree weather, there’s a high risk of dehydration. Water and electrolyte solutions are greatly needed. There is no excuse for a person to die of dehydration as hundreds of people pass them by daily. 

Role of members: Each member is finding their own niche in the group, from pick up and drop off of donated items, to cooks, prayer warriors and others who design coolers which we distribute around Richmond. For example, we have a professional chef from Gloucester who cooks 25 gallons of food for us on a regular. We have new positions developing daily.

Number of paid staff: 0.

How to become a volunteer: We currently are seeking a way to make a website. However, people can contact me at (804) 300-8051 or on Facebook “Because We Care We Are Blessing Warriors” or my personal page, Rhonda Sneed.

How police and people react to my work: People are usually confused because they’ve never seen anyone quite do it like we do. The police are very receptive to what we do. I’ve seen police stop by to check on many of those we serve.

Why reports of reduction in homelessness may be inaccurate: The homeless are not just people standing on a corner with a sign. Many sleep from house to house, behind dumpsters, etc. There are many working homeless people.

Dream for organization: That we can start chapters all over the world where the local communities can start helping each other and themselves.

How I start the day: If we can help just one person survive today, that’s a blessing.

A perfect day for me is: Going to bed knowing many are well fed, well clothed and in a warm safe environment — preferably their own residence.

Something I love to do that most people would never imagine: Hugging a homeless person.

A quote that I am most inspired by: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6. 

Who influenced me the most: My father. He was an awesome man who taught me love and compassion. I saw my dad struggle to provide for our family. Yet every night, no matter what, I always saw him — even with severe arthritis — end the day on his knees in prayer.

Book that influenced me the most: “Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff ... and It’s All Small Stuff” by Richard Carlson.

What I’m reading now: “The Soloist” by Steve Lopez.

Next goal: A building where we can prepare food and also have our storage. Financial stability for the group.