SW Mutual Aid Continues its Mission to Provide Food

By Carlee Brown & Max Grossman

Ward 6 Mutual Aid (W6MA) is an all-volunteer grassroots group working with black and brown community organizations to help keep our communities safe. Over the past four months, the Southwest Pod of W6MA has partnered with Christ United Methodist Church on a community food and supply drive to serve our neighbors in response to Covid-19. Thanks to the generosity of our neighbors who’ve donated items at the Southwest Farmers Market on Saturdays, we are now distributing fresh produce on Sunday mornings between 9-10:30 a.m.

Interested in ways to help? There are several ways to show your support:

• Donate groceries and supplies. Come say hi and consider donating fresh produce bought at the Southwest Farmers Market on Saturdays between 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 
• Donate unused laptops and tablets. Donate unused laptops and tablets to support local students. In partnership with community organizations, including Serve Your City, Momma’s Safe Haven, and the TraRon Center, W6MA has helped donate over 100 devices. All donated devices will be completely wiped of all data and prepped for student use.
• Tutor local students online. The need for tutors doesn’t end with the school year. W6MA’s tutoring program is looking for college students, grad students, and professionals who want to volunteer for virtual tutoring sessions in any subject. If you are interested, please contact syctutoringmutualaid@gmail.com.
• Volunteer. The Southwest Pod of W6MA is seeking volunteers to help sew masks, staff our local food pantry, and help with our farmer’s market tabling and food distribution. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact karenlmcmanus@gmail.com. 

Those in the community seeking assistance can access goods and services through the following means:

• If you or someone you know has a critical need, call the Ward 6 Mutual Aid Hotline at 202-683-9962. You can request food, masks, cleaning supplies, and other goods for delivery.
• Obtain fresh produce from W6MA’s community drive on Sundays from 9-10:30 a.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church (900 4t^h St. SW; use courtyard entrance near library).
• Obtain groceries from the Christ United Methodist Church’s 5000 Ministry Food Pantry on the 1^st and 3^rd Saturdays of the month from 9-11 a.m. (courtyard entrance).