The story behind Richmond Community ToolBank: ‘We’re kind of a super connector’

The Richmond Tool Bank supplied a Richmond-area farm with more than a dozen fully assembled picnic benches and outdoor furniture with the help of a local business last week.

“We lend equipment in our expertise about tools and equipment to nonprofits and community groups all over Central Virginia,” Executive Director Toby Vernon said.

The nonprofit hosted 30 interns and staff members from the CPA and consulting firm PB Mares. Mary O’Connell works with the firm and said every summer the company organizes a social event for the interns as a bonding exercise when it was suggested that they find a way to connect with each other while giving back to the community instead.

“I was looking for ideas in the Richmond area and someone on a Reddit article had suggested doing a social event here,” said O’Connell. “When we found Tool Bank we thought it was perfect.”