By Regina Mazur 

For more than three years, the mission of Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA) has remained the same: providing Black and Brown youth and families with resources that others in DC may already have. Due to the tireless efforts of Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid, community residents can receive the assistance and resources they need. 

With spring around the corner, SYC/W6MA market table will resume its operations beginning Saturday, April 1 at the Southwest Farmers Market.  

SYC/W6MA will also be holding a Southwest DC Spring Food Drive. 

Southwest DC Spring Food Drive Information: 

Through a partnership between Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid and Christ United Methodist Church, the Southwest DC Spring Food Drive will run through the month of April and will be used to stock up our food pantries for the coming spring and summer months. With the increase in food costs and the reduction of SNAP benefits, many families in our community are in need of food and supplies. The requests for assistance have increased, and our shelves are getting bare. Support us in seeing that everyone in our community has access to basic food. 

Donations can be brought to any of the following locations:

  • Christ United Methodist Church (900 4th Street SW, back entrance of the pathway to the Southwest Public Library), on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
  • Southwest Farmers Market (425 M St SW) at the Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid booth, on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
  • Check your building or church to see if they are hosting a donation box.

We are seeking donations of:

  • Non-perishable foods, such as canned tuna, canned chicken, pasta, pasta sauce, soup, boxed milk, peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, condiments, cereal, and Ensure.
  • Toiletries, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, deodorant, and feminine products, and Depends.

To provide the best opportunities for children and youth SYC/W6MA is looking for your help: 

HELP SEND DC KIDS TO SUMMER CAMP: Join Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA) in providing Black & Brown DC youth with the chance to explore, enjoy and play this summer! Your “solidarity, NOT charity” will ” give EVERY SYC/W6MA scholar across DC equitable summertime experiences that will last a lifetime. For more information, visit bit.ly/sycsummer.

HELP VIRTUALLY TUTOR DC K-12 STUDENTS: Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid’s Free School for Unlimited Youth program provides life-changing educational experiences and opportunities for Black and Brown youth in Washington, DC, including free virtual tutoring for K-12 students throughout the city. We are always looking for additional, dedicated tutors to help support even more DC K-12 students. If you’re a college student, graduate student, or professional interested in volunteering for virtual tutoring sessions in any subject, please visit bit.ly/sycvolunteertutor to learn more and join our network. Have any questions? Please feel free to email Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid’s Free School for Unlimited Youth program at youthenrichment@serveyourcitydc.org

Food Distribution: This will take place at the Christ United Methodist Church’s 5000 Ministry Food Pantry on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month at 2:30 p.m. Location: 900 4th Street SW. 

SYC/W6MA SW Pod Donation Hours: Wednesdays from 2:00 pm.m – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.     

If you need additional support with food and supplies, please call the Mutual Aid Hotline      at 202-683- 9962 or email  ward6mutualaid@gmail.com

Want to Learn More or Get Involved? We need more people to help with the food   distribution on Saturdays please contact us for more information at  swmutualaid@serveyourcity.org

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