SW Mutual Aid Closes 2020 Serving the Community

By Carlee Brown and Max Grossman

Ward 6 Mutual Aid (W6MA) is an all-volunteer grassroots group working with Black and Brown grassroots organizations to help keep our communities safe. The Southwest Pod of W6MA is partnering with Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) on a community food and supply drive to serve our neighbors in response to Covid-19.

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

• Donate groceries and supplies. Donations of groceries, cleaning supplies, and toiletries can be brought to the courtyard entrance of CUMC at 900 4^th St. SW on Wednesdays and Fridays from 4 to 6 p.m., and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Help make sure every student can access the online classroom. W6MA is working to bridge the digital divide, providing devices and school supplies to students to make sure that D.C.’s virtual school year is a success. Alongside partner organization Serve Your City, we are providing digital devices to local students. If you have a device you’d like to donate please email syclaptopsmutualaid@gmail.com.
• Volunteer. The Southwest Pod of W6MA is seeking volunteers to help staff our local food pantry and help with food distribution. If you are interested in getting involved, please contact karenlmcmanus@gmail.com.
• Give online at https://www.serveyourcitydc.org/donate.

W6MA and CUMC have a number of ways you can get the support you need:

• 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 1^st and 3^rd Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. at the Christ United Methodist Church (900 4^th 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 at 1 p.m. (courtyard entrance). If you can not come to the church due to health or mobility issues, call 202-554-9117 to request a delivery.

W6MA and CUMC appreciate the generosity of Southwest D.C. The community has helped provide fresh produce, pantry staples, and cleaning supplies to families throughout the year. You’ve also helped provide more than 50 students with digital devices for virtual learning this school year. Thank you!