By Katrina Avila
As we close out 2024, Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid (SYC/W6MA) reflects on another year of delivering essential resources to Black and Brown residents across DC, overcoming barriers to access that many in our communities face. We are deeply grateful to all our partners and supporters, whose unwavering dedication ensures that our neighbors not only have the basics to survive but also the resources to thrive as we move into 2025.
In Southwest DC, we want to highlight and express our gratitude for:
- Spring Food Drive: Our successful Southwest DC food drive was made possible by generous donations from local communities, including River Park, Harbour Square, Tiber Island, Riverside, Carrollsburg, The Channel, Incanto, The Banks, Amaris, Vio, and Wharf Marina. Your support in hosting donation boxes and driving this effort forward was invaluable.
- 5th Annual We Keep Us Safe Back-to-School Bash (B2SB): In August, we celebrated our fifth annual B2SB event, distributing backpacks, school supplies, and digital devices across all eight wards. A special thank you to Capital Yacht Club Community Chest for their continued partnership since 2020, ensuring K-12 Black and Brown students have the tools they need to succeed.
- Produce Distributions: In addition to food drives, SYC/W6MA facilitated fresh produce distributions. We are deeply thankful to the Southwest Farmers Market vendors—Ochoa Produce, Ashton Farms, Sandy Bottom Acres, and Panorama Baking Company—for their generous donations of fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the spring and summer.
- Community Partnerships: A heartfelt thank you to the James Creek Resident Council, Christ United Methodist Church, and all our dedicated SYC/W6MA volunteers. Their support made our food and clothing drives, distributions, and other campaigns possible.
As 2024 comes to a close, we extend a sincere THANK YOU to everyone whose efforts made this year a success. Your “solidarity, NOT charity” has had a lasting impact, providing vital assistance to those who need it most.
Make a lasting impact beyond 2024—get involved with Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid!
Help sustain mutual aid into the future: While 2024 may be winding down, our work doesn’t stop. Your support through “solidarity, NOT charity” ensures mutual aid continues to thrive. Keep the abundance flowing into 2025 and beyond by visiting bit.ly/sycw6ma-eoy-24 today.
Southwest Pod Closure and Ongoing Community Support
On August 28, SYC/W6MA’s Southwest Pod at Christ United Methodist Church (CUMC) officially closed, but our dedication to the Southwest community remains as strong as ever. We will continue to provide essential supplies—such as food, diapers, and feminine and personal hygiene products—to support CUMC and their 5000 Food Ministry, which will continue food distributions on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of each month at 2:00 p.m. (900 4th St SW).
Additionally, our support for the James Creek Resident Council will continue, with monthly deliveries of food, diapers, and feminine hygiene products. We are profoundly grateful for the generosity and collaboration that have sustained our partnership with CUMC and the James Creek Resident Council, highlighting the strength of solidarity and mutual support within the Southwest community.
Support Our Work
Your financial contributions play a vital role in sustaining our efforts. By donating online at bit.ly/sycw6ma-donate, you directly strengthen our support for CUMC’s 5000 Food Ministry and help tackle food access challenges in Southwest DC. Your generosity allows us to purchase essential food items in bulk, maximizing our impact and extending our reach to those who need it most.
Stay Updated on Our Work Across DC
For the latest news on our programs and initiatives, visit serveyourcitydc.org.