By Katrina Avila
Embodying its mission not just in name but through unwavering action, Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA) has consistently demonstrated a steadfast commitment to serving all our neighbors and providing essential support to Black and Brown residents across DC. SYC/W6MA does this by actively engaging in a diverse range of initiatives, from supplying vital items to community members and offering tutoring and afterschool programs for K-12 youth to ensuring the safety and well-being of our communities.
The strong partnership between the Southwest Pod of SYC/W6MA and Christ United Methodist Church, coupled with the collaborative and collective efforts of numerous grassroots organizations dedicated to serving Black and Brown communities, significantly contributes to this work.
Throughout the year, SYC/W6MA hosts diverse campaigns that adapt to changing seasons while consistently offering invaluable assistance year-round. Whether it involves organizing food and clothing drives, distributing produce, or partnering with the Southwest Farmers Market, all of SYC/W6MA’s initiatives are directed towards uplifting all our neighbors.
Join Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid’s Southwest DC Spring Food Drive from April 1 to April 30, 2024:
Your “solidarity, NOT charity” is crucial in stocking up our food pantries for the upcoming spring and summer months. With rising food costs and reduced SNAP benefits, many families in our community are in need of food and supplies. Requests for assistance have increased, and our shelves are running low. Just in Southwest DC alone, we support 70 households a month, with a majority being seniors on fixed income and families with limited resources. All food items are appreciated. Contact us if you have a special item or a large quantity to donate. Support us in ensuring everyone in our community has access to basic food.
We are seeking donations of:
- Non-perishable foods, including canned tuna, chicken, pasta, sauce, soup, boxed milk, jelly, cooking oil, condiments, cereal, Ensure, canned fruit, crackers, breakfast bars, etc.
- Toiletries, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, bar soap, deodorant, feminine products, Depends, shampoo.
- Monetary Donations: donate online at bit.ly/sw-fooddrive.
Donations can be dropped off at any of the following locations:
- Christ United Methodist Church (900 4th St SW, back entrance off 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.
- 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 apartment building or church for a donation box. If you want to sponsor a donation box at your housing community or place of business, please contact us at swmutualaid@serveyourcitydc.org.
Interested in More Ways to Help? Discover various other ways to engage with Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid:
Virtual Tutors Needed: SYC/W6MA’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.
SYC/W6MA’s Southwest Pod Spring Hours: SYC/W6MA’s SW Pod donation hours are Wednesdays from 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. Neighbors in need are invited to visit the Pod once a month for provisions, including food, hygiene items, cleaning supplies, and access to the Clothing Closet. The Southwest Pod of SYC/W6MA is located at Christ United Methodist Church (900 4th St SW – access through the courtyard gate at the back of the building on the side street off Wesley Place SW). Christ United Methodist Church’s 5000 Food Pantry will continue providing food and supplies on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays.
Interested in learning more or getting involved? We’re actively looking for volunteers to assist with our Southwest food distributions every Saturday. For more details, please reach out to us at swmutualaid@serveyourcitydc.org.