In response to the exacerbated needs of the fixed income populations residing in the Columbia Heights Neighborhood, a group of experienced community workers and residents have collaborated to form the Mutual Aid Movement DC (MAM DC).
The current focus of MAM DC is supporting the most vulnerable residents of Ward 1 and beyond in Washington, D.C. during the current COVID-19 pandemic with necessary supplies and nutritious meals and groceries.
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MAM DC in numbers
Each week, we deliver
6,000
pounds of fresh produce
2,500
meals
500
boxes of produce
to
neighbors in our community
What we do
MAM DC is composed of grassroots volunteers and front-line service providers working to support neighbors in need. We are a respectful, solution oriented, and hopeful group that emphasizes the collective over the individual.
- Purchase and deliver food and essential supplies to community members;
- Provide transportation (via personal vehicles) to medical appointments or for emergency care;
- Deliver fresh produce to residents;
- Identify and deliver meals to thousands of Seniors;
- Deliver meals and essential supplies to school age youth; and
- Provide support to residents with medical supplies via gift cards to CVS
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Thank you for helping support your neighbors in Ward 1 and beyond.
Who we serve
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic it is clear that the federal and local DC government, are not meeting the needs of the people. There is an ongoing gap in resources for Senior citizens and families, with fixed incomes, in Washington D.C. The current COVID-19 pandemic has made the disparities in those who have fixed incomes apparent. Additionally, many of these low-income families have lost additional income opportunities as a result of the current restrictions on non-essential business operations in DC.
Seniors and Disabled Citizens
According to the Census Bureau there are 85,134 residents who live in Ward 1 which is in a 2.5-mile radius, of the 85,134 residents over 33% (28,094 people) fall under the poverty line. These are the residents that more than likely don’t have a savings account or money to be used in an emergency. These are Seniors, Disabled residents, homeless and families living on fixed incomes or individuals who work in the service industry and are unable to work from home.
Seniors are asked to stay in the house. While they stay in their homes, they are unable to venture out to many of the programs they were receiving meals from before this Pandemic rocked the World. The agencies that provided these programs are not providing home deliveries to the Seniors or Disabled Citizens they served during normal circumstances. That means the Seniors and Disabled Citizens are left to fend for themselves. Many of them do not have family members or close friends that can ensure that they receive meals and cleaning supplies. The local municipalities often speak on how they are taking care of Seniors and Disabled residents, but it is not the complete truth. We have encountered thousands of residents that have not been contacted at all by the numerous agencies who claim to be providing direct services to our most vulnerable residents.
Children and Families
Families that are on fixed incomes or work labor positions are unable to work from home. These families are unable to purchase supplies in many instances because if they are receiving benefits from the city, the benefits were not intended to cover meals and expenses of a family that has to stay in their homes with their children all day. Low income families are in desperate need of cleaning supplies, food, CPU’s and internet access in order for the school age children to effectively continue their schoolwork. These families are also in need of up-to-date information and instructions on how to manage these trying times.
MAM DC picks up 1,000 lunches a week from Columbia Heights Education Campus. MAM DC community leader Veronica Perez works with Steve from DCPS to load up the car. 
Thousands of meals are produced and distributed at numerous sites across the District. Hard at work DCPS employees support MAM DC, helping load our truck every day. 
The famous organizer Ms. Pat has joined MAM DC to support the weekly produce box delivery. MAM DC delivers over 250 produce boxes every week to several residents and tenant associations across Ward 1 and beyond. 
Chris Thomas stand proudly next to a nearly completed pallet of produce. Chris went beast mode to deliver over 200 boxes in 6 hours. 
One of MAM DC’s youngest volunteers Jae gets ready to load more produce boxes. Boxes are delivered weekly to MAM DC through Capital Area Food Bank. 
MAM DC’s Veronica Perez drops off lunches to Maricela Silva. Maricela then delivers meals to 30 of her neighbors. Community run food supply chains are in motion. 
MAM DC picks up 150 meals a day from Santa Rosa Taqueria on Capital Hill and brings them uptown for delivery. Zoom zoom! 
MAM DC volunteer Beth Scott loads up her car for the final runs on Friday. Meals to Los Hermanos Dominican Food Restaurant on Park Rd, Vendedores Unidos, and to residents across Ward 1.
The Mutual Aid Movement DC 