By Regina Mazur
All the projects undertaken by Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA) are direct responses to the expressed needs of our communities. Whenever a need arises, we actively seek out ways to address it. “We Keep Us Safe” is not a mere branding exercise; it represents a genuine commitment, a guiding principle, and a comprehensive to-do list. SYC/W6MA is continuously engaged in a wide range of initiatives, including providing essential items to community members, offering tutoring and afterschool programs for K-12 youth, and ensuring the safety and well-being of our community. SYC/W6MA has consistently displayed an unwavering dedication to serving our neighbors and offering vital support to the Black and Brown residents of DC.
The strong partnership between the Southwest Pod of SYC/W6MA and Christ United Methodist Church, in conjunction with the collaborative efforts of various grassroots organizations serving Black and Brown communities, makes a significant contribution to these endeavors.
Whether it’s coordinating food and clothing drives, distributing fresh produce, or collaborating with the Southwest Farmers Market, all of SYC/W6MA’s initiatives are focused on uplifting the community. Throughout the year, SYC/W6MA hosts various campaigns that adapt to the changing seasons while consistently delivering valuable assistance year-round.
All are invited to join Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid’s Southwest DC Fall Food Drive, running through November 18.
The Fall Food drive has started strong with generous donations, but we still need your support to replenish our pantry shelves for the upcoming winter. Due to rising food prices and reduced SNAP benefits, many families in our community require assistance. Your contributions will ensure that everyone in our community can access essential food.
Our heartfelt thanks go out to the communities of River Park, Harbor Square, Tiber Island, Riverside, Modern on M, The Channel, Incanto, Vio, The Tides, Amaris, The Banks, and St. Augustine’s Church for hosting donation boxes in their buildings, making it more convenient for their residents to make a difference. We greatly appreciate this invaluable support.
Donations can be brought to any of the following locations:
- Christ United Methodist Church (900 4th St SW, back entrance of the pathway to the SW Public Library), on Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- SW 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, canned fruit, boxed milk, peanut butter, jelly, cooking oil, condiments, hot & and cold cereal, Ensure, tea, coffee.
- Toiletries, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, deodorant, and feminine products, Depends.
- Monetary Donations: Donate online at bit.ly/falldrive-sycw6ma. These funds allow us to purchase food from the Capital Area Food Bank, tripling the amount of food you could purchase at the store.
Interested in More Ways to Help?
Help the Unhoused: Our unhoused neighbors here in Washington, DC still need essential supplies to thrive, not just survive! You can make a difference this fall by purchasing items from Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid’s wishlist at bit.ly/syctentlist. For questions, please contact us at info@serveyourcitydc.org.
Virtual Tutors Needed: Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid’s “Free School for Unlimited Youth” program provides FREE virtual tutoring to Black and Brown K-12 students across Washington, DC. We are constantly seeking passionate volunteer members to join our team! We welcome college students, graduate students, and professionals who are committed to making a difference in any subject. If you’re interested in becoming a virtual tutor, please visit bit.ly/sycvolunteertutor or contact us at youthenrichment@serveyourcitydc.org for more details.
Join us every Saturday at 2:00 p.m. for our food distribution: SYC/W6MA teams up with Christ United Methodist Church 5000 Food Pantry to provide fresh produce. Additionally, on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month, also at 2:00 p.m., we broaden our selection to include groceries, cleaning supplies, and personal care items. You can find our distribution location at 900 4th St SW. If you require further assistance with food and supplies, please don’t hesitate to reach out to SYC/W6MA’s Mutual Aid Hotline at 202-683-9962 or send an email to ward6mutualaid@gmail.com.
Want to Learn More? For additional information, please contact us at: swmutualaid@serveyourcitydc.org.