The Mutual Aid LA Monthly Dispatch #1 (December)

MUTUAL AID LA: GOINGS-ON

Thank you for opening the first Mutual Aid LA Monthly Dispatch! Mutual Aid LA is now focusing on being a connector and informational hub for localized mutual aid efforts across Los Angeles. We become a strong and sustainable people-powered movement when we lean on one another, collaborate, delegate, communicate and share resources and ideas. This movement remains people-powered if we keep bringing people in, so we created this dispatch as an invitation, a catalyst for jumping on in. Below you’ll find a collection of opportunities to contribute to Los Angeles-based efforts in the form of time, money and/or items. If you’d like more folks to know about the ways they can contribute to a mutual aid effort that you are a part of, fill out this form and we’ll get you in the next dispatch!

FEATURED EFFORT: MISS RODGERS’ NEIGHBORHOOD

Miss Rodgers’ Neighborhood is a Black woman-led organization “with a vision for Our Communities sharing and caring for each other as conscious acts of Love and Solidarity.” From clothing pop-up shops to grocery distributions in Compton and Watts to a comprehensive rental assistance program, we’ve been watching Miss Rodgers’ work and all-encompassing Neighborhood grow.

How YOU can contribute...

• Volunteer every other Sunday at the People’s Free Food Drive Thru from 1-4pm in Compton. Email to confirm: The411@MissRodgersHood.org
• Give money!
• Donate new or gently used clothing to Miss Rodgers’ Pop-Up Shop. Email above to arrange hand-off.
• Follow and amplify Miss Rodgers’ Neighborhood on social media. Make your circles aware of this effort and bring them in!

DO YOU HAVE TIME, ITEMS* OR MONEY TO CONTRIBUTE?

*PLEASE clean, sort & fold all items you are donating. Items should be new or gently used. Socks, underwear and hygiene items should always be unused.

WHO: Solidarity and Snacks
WHAT: TIME MONEY
Seeking volunteers for Tuesday morning breakfast & coffee distro to unhoused neighbors AND Saturday afternoon large supply distro. DM on IG to signup.
WHEN: Tuesdays 7am-9am @ the Corner of Spring and Cesar Chavez (El Pueblo), Saturdays 12pm-2pm @ 5th and San Pedro (Skid Row)
$$$: Raising money for cold weather gear, tents + more. Venmo: @solidarityandsnacks / give monthly via ** Patreon

WHO: Sharing Love with Others
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
Seeking volunteers for meal, clothing and hygiene distro in Skid Row. DM your name, cell and email via IG to sign up. Accepts new or gently used clothing, shoes, blankets and sheets. Drop-off same as volunteer location.
WHEN: Saturdays 12pm-4pm
WHERE: 620 E. 7th St. between Crocker & San Pedro
$$$: CashApp $sharinglove2019 / Venmo sharinglovewithothers / give consistently via Patreon / contribute via Wishlist

WHO: Pasadena For All
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
We are seeking new members to join our group and help us to build community with our unhoused neighbors in Pasadena and Altadena. There are lots of ways to contribute to the group including joining our weekly Saturday outreach at two locations in Pasadena. We distribute supplies including food, water, clothes and hygiene kits. In addition to in-person outreach, we also have lots of opportunities to help virtually by joining or leading a team working on homelessness/housing advocacy in Pasadena, researching local resources, fundraising, communications or new volunteer recruitment. We are currently seeking new or gently used winter clothes, jackets, blankets, tents and sleeping bags. Drop-offs or pick-ups can be arranged.
Contact us at pasadenaforall@gmail.com or dm us on Instagram @pasadenaforall
WHEN: Weekly on Saturday 10-11:30 AM & Sundays 11:30-1:00; Bi-weekly zoom meetings
WHERE: Saturday outreach in Central Park & Memorial Park in Pasadena; Sunday sack lunch distribution at various locations
$$$: Cashapp $PasadenaForall, Buy items on the Wishlist

WHO: LifeKit
WHAT: TIME MONEY
Assemble hygiene kits for unhoused neighbors across LA! Sign up to volunteer or email info@lifekitla.com
WHEN: Fridays from 4-7pm
WHERE: 3942 1/2 Beverly Blvd.
$$$: Funds are used for hygiene kit supplies. Venmo @lifekitla / donate via website.

WHO: WaterDrop LA
WHAT: TIME MONEY
Join the WaterDrop crew in Skid Row to pass out water to unhoused neighbors. Sign-up form here .
WHEN: Sundays from 11am-2pm
WHERE: Skid Row
$$$: WaterDrop is currently fundraising to purchase winter gear for unhoused communities, donate to that or any of their wishlists here.

WHO: Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
Currently collecting socks and blankets, email Ndindi at palmsunhousedmutualaid@gmail.com to arrange for a donation drop-off. Check out PUMA’s Patreon November Highlights for info about writing holiday cards of hope for unhoused members. PUMA also partners with LA Neighbors for Neighbors on a Monthly Access Center for unhoused neighbors, and Palms Action Collective, who is collecting large sweats, tarps, tents, book bags, and rolling bags, email palmsactioncollective@protonmail.com if you have those items.
WHERE: Palms Neighborhood
$$$: Join Palms Unhoused Mutual Aid on Patreon to make a monthly contribution and read more about PUMA’s work!

WHO: Care Packs - LA
WHAT: ITEMS MONEY
Donate or buy items for the Hygiene Kits + PPE this group distributes to unhoused neighbors.
WHERE: East Hollywood and beyond
$$$: Buy items on the wishlist. Donate via Venmo:@CarePacksLA

WHO: Mac Park Crew
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
This group has a multitude of ways to contribute, from doing pick-ups to building hygiene kits on your own, follow & DM @evadotwoods on IG for in-person volunteering opps. See what you can dig up for the coat and sweatshirt drive.
WHERE: MacArthur Park and El Pueblo
$$$: Buy items on their wishlist. Send fund$ to fuel the ongoing meals and supplies they provide to unhoused folks via Venmo:@Catherine-Schetina / CashApp $CatherineSchetina

WHO: Garment District LA
WHAT: ITEMS MONEY
This mutual aid group is currently holding a Christmas Drive by collecting warm winter gear for neighbors experiencing homelessness. Donate new or gently used: blankets, sleeping bags, socks, beanies, gloves & hygiene items. Send @garmentdistrictla a DM on IG to arrange a pickup/dropoff.
$$$: You can purchase items for the drive from their Amazon Wishlist or Venmo @garmentdistricla

WHO: West Valley Mutual Aid
WHAT: ITEMS MONEY
Drop off your gently used cold weather clothes (Jackets, coats, beanies & gloves only in adult sizes only) to local West Valley business Prostainable for distribution to the unhoused and vulnerable communities in Los Angeles.
WHEN: December 1st - 12th
WHERE: Prostainable, 20969 Ventura Blvd. Ste. 30, Woodland Hills 91364

WHO: Community Loving
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
This is a mutual aid org providing low-income BIPOC families & youth in South Bay LA w/ the necessary resources they need & deserve. Follow them on IG for frequent opps to give time. They’re always collecting new or gently used baby essentials, clothes, toiletries and children’s items. DM them to arrange a pick-up/drop-off!
$$$: Become a consistent donor on their Patreon or donate once via their website / paypal / venmo @community-loving

WHO: SELAH Neighborhood Homeless Coalition
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
SELAH offers a multitude of ways to volunteer in person, from doing outreach to unhoused communities and individuals to working the clothing distro or putting together hygiene kits for houseless folks, check it all out here or email volunteer@selahnhc.org. They accept clothing donations (here are specifics) on Saturdays 1-4pm. Subscribe to their super helpful newsletter for donation and volunteer updates. SELAH is currently doing a Give A Little Winter Sock Drive.
WHEN: Wednesdays and Saturdays
WHERE: Silver Lake Community Church (2930 Hyperion Ave.)

WHO: HydrateLA
WHAT: TIME MONEY
HydrateLA could always use more volunteers to help with their weekly water and snack drop-off around the city, which is then distributed to unhoused individuals and communities. They also provide water and snacks at racial justice actions. Fill out this form if you’re interested in volunteering.
WHEN: Wednesday afternoons
WHERE: South LA/delivery to several neighborhoods in LA
$$$: HydrateLA is always accepting donations (Venmo @Hydrate-LA) to help supply the water they distribute on a weekly basis.

WHO: People’s Pantry LA
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
This El Sereno-based free pantry has several awesome ways for you to give your time, like organizing, stocking and working the pantry, picking-up or delivering food, doing outreach to unhoused communities in the El Sereno, Lincoln Heights, Highland Park and Cypress Park neighborhoods or even help with fundraising. Fill out this form or email peoplespantryla@gmail.com. People’s Pantry also frequently accepts warm gear like blankets, sweatshirts and hats as well as unused hygiene products like tampons, shampoo, etc.
WHEN: Sunday afternoons
WHERE: 3111 North Eastern Avenue in El Sereno
$$$: Donate to their GoFundMe so this 100% community-funded, volunteer-run free pantry can continue providing fresh produce, dry goods, water and prepared meals to folks in the neighborhood that need it.

WHO: LA Community Fridges
WHAT: TIME ITEMS
Find out which LA Community Fridge you live near and commit to visiting it on a regular basis. If it’s time you have to give, sign-up (Tuesdays or Thursdays) to pick up free produce and deliver it to a fridge, or keep a cleaning kit in your car and stop by to tidy it up. Many fridges have a cleaning schedule you can sign up for. Gather your friends and host a food drive to get the fridge stocked. Buy a few extra items on your next trip to the grocery store and stop by the fridge on the way home to drop the items off. Join the fridge dispatch and moving team, especially if you have a truck. Collect plastic bags and utensils to bring to the fridge for folks to use. Get creative in keeping your local community fridge alive or just read the How To Get Involved FAQ. Lastly, find a host and facilitate the opening of a fridge in your neighborhood (join the slack for more on this) or become a host if you are in charge of a communal space. Keep an eye on LACF’s IG page and stories for tons of opportunities to contribute to food equity efforts.
WHERE: All over Los Angeles

WHO: Homey Made Meals
WHAT: TIME MONEY
Take a few hours to make 10-30 meals for unhoused individuals. This is a fun opportunity to team up with a friend. It can be as simple as PB&J-style or as gourmet as pad thai. Check their IG archived stories for inspo. If you’re crafty or have kids, you can write kind notes to include in your meal bags. You can also spend your time being a little meal pick-up elf, which entails driving to 3 or less homes on your side of town to pick up the meals other homeys have made and then deliver them to a hub for distribution. This group is full of good energy and joy. More info here. Sign-up here.
WHEN: Around 11am pick up but Homey figures out a day that works best for you!
WHERE: At home or driving around!
$$$: Homey is always accepting donations to help keep the operation running.

WHO: Feed the Streets LA
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
This organization collects and distributes donated food, hygiene products, clothing, supplies and educational items to folks that need it in Skid Row and Hollywood. To volunteer your time for a distribution (see times and locations listed below), email info@feedthestreets.info. You can also donate the following items: water, bedding/sleeping bags, sweats (L-XXXL), shoes, socks, belts, new underwear, D-batteries, wet wipes, first aid supplies, protein bars, ensure, shopping/tote bags, 8oz butane canisters. More info here.
WHEN/WHERE: 1) Tuesday AM Support - 7:30am-9am @ 505 San Pedro St. 90013 (SKID ROW) 2) Thursday AM Support - 7:30am-9am @ 505 San Pedro St. 90013 (SKID ROW) 3) Sunday Night Support - 6pm-9pm @ 6054 Yucca St. 90028 (HOLLYWOOD)
$$$: Contribute to this group monthly via Open Collective or do a single donation via Venmo (@FTSLA). Funds go toward buying hygiene items, supplies and food.

WHO: Produce in the Park / Plastic in the Park
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
Take an hour (or more, if you choose) on Thursdays to swing by a very adorable and centrally-located park to pick up a batch of free produce and deliver it to an LA Community Fridge. You can also hang around at the park to cull produce & pass it out to the surrounding community OR join the 3-car caravan that picks up the Food Forward produce in Commerce and brings it to the park. Sign-up for Produce in the Park here. Plastic in the Park is another Mutual Aid LA effort that sources hygiene items from online networks and company donations and assembles kits together for distro to unhoused neighbors in Lincoln Heights. List of items group accepts/collects. Email produceintheparque@gmail.com with any park questions or to join in on any of it.
WHEN: Thursdays @ 12:45pm for produce pick-up for fridge delivery OR 11:30am-1pm for culling and sorting in the park.
WHERE: Saint James Park (near USC)
$$$: Plastic in the Park organizers are always collecting funds to buy cold weather gear and whatever hygiene items they can’t source for free. Venmo @sarah-ginsburg / Cash app $SarahGinsburg / paypal w/ the note Plastic in the Park.

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