By Max Grossman and Carlee Brown
Ward 6 Mutual Aid (W6MA) is a grassroots group working with Black and Brown grassroots organizations to help keep our communities safe. The Southwest Pod of W6MA continues to partner with Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) on a community food and supply drive to serve our neighbors in response to COVID-19.
For the month of March, W6MA and partner organization Serve Your City are launching the “Southwest DC Duckling Clothing Drive,” a campaign to provide clothing to 150 children in Southwest DC. Throughout the month, the Southwest Mutual Aid Pod will be accepting gently used and new clothing for infants through teens. Also needed are new socks, underwear, and shoes. Donations can be dropped off at the courtyard entrance of CUMC at 900 4th St., SW on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 3-6 p.m. and Saturdays from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. You can also support the campaign by making a donation online at bit.ly/swdcDucklings.
Interested in other ways to help W6MA and CUMC? Here are some other ways to help:
- Donate groceries, cleaning supplies, and household items. Examples include:
- Non-perishable foods: tuna, chicken, cereal, pasta sauce, soup, snack food, and microwavable meals
- Cleaning supplies: disinfectants, laundry soap and paper towels
- Kitchenware: pot, pans, utensils, dishes, towels and small appliances
- Help make sure every student can access the online classroom. Alongside our partner organization Serve Your City, W6MA is working to bridge the digital divide by providing laptops and tablets to students. Please fill out the form at bit.ly/w6ma_laptops if you would like to donate a device.
- Tutor local students online. W6MA’s tutoring program is looking for college students, grad students, and professionals who want to lead virtual tutoring sessions in any subject. If you are interested, please contact syctutoringmutualaid@gmail.com.
W6MA and CUMC have a number of ways you can get the support you need:
- If you or someone you know has a need for food or cleaning supplies, call the W6MA Hotline at 202-683-9962. You can request food, masks, cleaning supplies, and other goods for delivery.
Obtain groceries and fresh produce at the CUMC’s 5000 Ministry Food Pantry on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month at 1p.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.