By Carlee Crown and Max Grossman
Ward 6 Mutual Aid (W6MA) is a grassroots group working with Black and Brown grassroots organizations to help keep our communities safe. For over a year, the Southwest Pod of W6MA has partnered with Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) on a community food and supply drive to serve our neighbors in response to COVID-19.
W6MA is deeply grateful to the Southwest community for its continued and generous support throughout the pandemic this past year. Over the course of the last year, neighbors have regularly provided food and cleaning supplies; donated fresh produce from the Farmers Market; supplied resources for our unhoused neighbors in the shelters and tent encampments; contributed coats, laptops, and household goods; and, most of all, given their time. Over 40 people regularly contribute their time and skills to the work of keeping each other safe.
This March, Southwest once again demonstrated its generosity by supporting the “Southwest DC Ducklings Children’s Clothing Drive.” We will be able to provide over 150 youth with clothing, and with assistance from a grant from Friends of SW DC, they will also receive new shoes for the summer.
Our work continues. Interested in other ways to help W6MA and CUMC?
- 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 need of 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 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.
Want to learn more? Email swmutualaid@serveyourcitydc.org.