Ward 3 Mutual Aid is evolving
Published on March 10, 2024 by Leah Brown
Ward 3 Mutual Aid has made the difficult decision to end reimbursements for grocery store gift cards and grocery deliveries, as soon as we have spent our remaining funds. As our members returned to work, school, and other obligations, our capacity has dwindled. To many, it feels like the pandemic is over, though the need in our community persists. We are so proud of the Mutual Aid community that has grown since we began organizing in March 2020. Although we are ending the financial aspect of our work, Mutual Aid continues in Ward 3 as community members stay in touch to support each other in many other ways. We hope you’ll stay in touch also!
Thank you so much for your continued support of Ward 3 Mutual Aid. We are deeply grateful for your financial and other contributions, and hope that you will continue to support Mutual Aid. At the end of this message you’ll find a list of other organizations that need our support, including the other Mutual Aid groups in DC.
As we were drafting this message, we were (abruptly) informed by Open Collective Foundation that they are ceasing operations at the end of the year - and that Open Collective will not accept donations on our behalf after March 15, 2024. We hope this means that they will remove donation abilities from the website, but just in case, please don’t try to make a new donation. Open Collective has told us that they will automatically cancel recurring donations.
As a donor, you may receive notice of this from Open Collective, and that notice may appear to come from Ward 3 Mutual Aid. Whatever it says, this is what we want you to know:
We are so grateful for your support!
Your donations made it possible for us to organize with neighbors for food and other support!
Mutual Aid continues in Ward 3 and beyond!
You are welcome to stay in touch with us! Email us at [email protected], or call or text us at 202-556-1315.
As you know, our community has been through a lot over the last few years. Drastic reduction of food stamp benefits, the loss of rental assistance and eviction protections, and increasing food costs have made life much harder. At the same time, our donations are falling and most of our members no longer have the time or capacity to continue organizing with us. Putting neighbors on a long waitlist is not sustainable in the long run, and risks a “scarcity” mentality which is more in keeping with charity than with the community solidarity of Mutual Aid.
Please see the list below of groups doing similar work that need our support.
With Gratitude, In Solidarity,
Ward 3 Mutual Aid
202-556-1315
Other Groups Organizing Mutual Aid or Providing Food Assistance
NW Community Food. Many Ward 3 Mutual Aid neighbors use this food pantry. Founded by people who were active in Ward 3 Mutual Aid, NW Community Food is located in NW DC’s Van Ness neighborhood, which has the worst food insecurity in Ward 3. The pantry is run completely by volunteers. Every Sunday afternoon from 1-3pm, individuals visit the pantry to pick up fresh vegetables and fruit, personal hygiene items (such as diapers and soap), household cleaning supplies, bread and bakery products, dairy products, canned fruit and vegetables, canned tuna fish, frozen chicken, and ready-made meals. People leave with 2 or 3 large bags of food. The pantry also delivers to people who cannot visit the pantry in person due to disabilities. The pantry serves 200-250 households each week. Information and donation link: https://nwcommunityfood.net
East of the River (EOR) Mutual Aid: Donations help continue to provide the fresh produce, hygiene items and cleaning supplies that neighbors request. We also regularly partner with local community groups for special events like coat drives and back to school supplies. Information, hotline number and donation links: https://linktr.ee/eormutualaid
Serve Your City/Ward 6 Mutual Aid. “All Serve Your City Ward 6 Mutual Aid Projects are in direct response to needs expressed by our community. When a need arises, we will find a way to meet it together.” Organizing includes education & enrichment, food & supplies, health & well-being, and advocacy. Information, contact, and donation link: https://serveyourcitydc.org/
Ward 5 Mutual Aid: Like us, this group has been using Open Collective Foundation as a fiscal sponsor. We will update you with new info on how to donate, as soon as it's available.
Ward 4 Mutual Aid: Provides food, diapers and supplies to neighbors in Ward 4, one Saturday each month. Next date is March 16, 10AM, at Brightwood Park United Methodist Church, 744 Jefferson St NW. Gift cards, diapers and other items as available, to the first 100 families in Ward 4. Limited deliveries available - call or text the hotline 202-681-3098. Information and donation link: https://ward4mutualaid.org/
Ward 2 Mutual Aid: W2MA does bimonthly grocery support, biweekly encampment outreach, and periodic workshops and events. linktr.ee/w2ma (Like us, this group has been using Open Collective Foundation as a fiscal sponsor. Look for their soon-to-be updated donation link.)
Ward 1 Mutual Aid: Ward 1 Mutual Aid was founded in March 2020 in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and currently organizes around food security, supporting unhoused neighbors, eviction defense, street vendor support, and other local grassroots efforts. Check out the list below to see some public offerings to the community for ways to connect with us in person and/or receive material support!
You can also connect with us on Instagram, Twitter/X, and Facebook: @DCW1MutualAid on all platforms.
Donate at Venmo @ward1-dcmutualaid, or make a recurring donation at patreon.com/w1mutualaid
Connect in person:
-Arroz y Frijoles Food distribution every Saturday at 14th & Monroe St NW. Tabling starts at 12 pm and ends around 2 pm or whenever we run out of food -Crestwood & Yorkshire
-Faircliff Plaza East -Grupo en Acción -Unhoused tabling Monthly tabling with food and personal items to support unhoused neighbors in Ward 1. For the safety & security of our neighbors, please reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, or twitter for details
-Woodner Eviction Defense Organizing within the Woodner to support neighbors, create a tenant union, and prevent evictions. Please reach out if you live in the Woodner and would like to get involved!
-Woodner Community Tabling Weekly tabling every Friday from 4-6 pm in front of the Woodner apartment complex (or in lobby depending on the weather). Distributing prepared food, packaged food, often clothes, and other goods!
Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid. “In April 2022, Governor Abbott of Texas began busing asylum seekers to DC from the border as part of a racist and cruel publicity stunt. In response, the DC community formed the Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid Network, a group of organizations and volunteers dedicated to welcoming migrants arriving to the city….
“Over one year later, Migrant Solidarity Mutual Aid (we shortened the name) continues to support the more than 1,500 migrants who have chosen to make the DC area their home, as they face federal and local barriers to resettlement. Our work has expanded since April 2022 to include resettlement support for families trying to move out of DC shelters, monthly asylum clinics, prenatal support, wage theft clinics, policy, and more!”
Food for All DC. This food distribution program began in 1984 and has been making home deliveries of bags of groceries to food-insecure neighbors, throughout Washington, DC. Since 2020, Ward 3 Mutual Aid members and neighbors have worked with Food for All to deliver food to neighbors in Ward 3. https://foodforalldc.org/