The Mutual Aid LA Monthly Dispatch #2 (January)

MUTUAL AID LA: GOINGS-ON

Hello and Happy New Year! Thank you for taking a look at our second monthly dispatch. 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 there’s a mutual aid effort you are a part of or think highly of and would like other folks to know how they can keep it cooking, be sure somebody from the group fills out this form in order to submit to be a part of next month’s dispatch!

FEATURED EFFORT: PRODUCE IN THE PARK

Every Thursday folks gather at the sweetest little parcel of land in the middle of the city near USC for Produce in the Park. It was started over a year ago by Mutual Aid LA organizers who coordinated pick-up of rescued surplus produce in Commerce, transport to Saint James Park to be culled and sorted and then delivery to several LA Community Fridges.

Neighbors of the park began expressing an interest in what was going on, and organizers adapted by adding a free produce bag component. Produce in the Park is now a steady operation distributing to more than 50 people right in the park and stocking at least 5 fridges every week. This is a true mutual aid effort as everyone is welcomed to show up, pitch in if they’d like and take as much as they can carry.

How YOU can contribute...

• Head to Saint James Park on Thursdays at 11:30am to help cull and bag produce.
• Volunteer to pick up and transport the produce Thursday @ 10:30am in Commerce.
• Sign up to swing by Saint James Park around 12:30pm and pick up a few boxes of sorted produce and deliver to an LA Community Fridge of your choice.
• Donate paper or sturdy plastic bags (contact produceintheparque@gmail.com to coordinate drop-off)

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: J-Town Action and Solidarity
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
JAS is a grassroots collective building community power in Little Tokyo. Each week, in partnership with We The Unhoused, the group provides unhoused residents w/ power generators for phone charging, food, cold weather gear, PPE and harm reduction supplies. Sign up to volunteer at a Saturday POWER-UP or fill out this volunteer interest form. JAS is also currently accepting winter clothing, blankets and tent donations. DM or email jtown.action.and.solidarity@gmail.com with any questions or to coordinate a drop-off.
WHEN: Saturdays from 2-5pm
WHERE: Toriumi Plaza located at 101 Judge John Aiso St.
$$$: Always raising money for POWER UP supplies. Donate via Venmo: @Jtown-action-and-solidarity / Paypal

WHO: Equity Through Literacy
WHAT: ITEMS MONEY
This is an effort helmed by two Latina educators aiming to empower marginalized communities through literacy, specifically by providing tangible resources to parents and families. Get in touch to donate new or like-new books, new backpacks, or unused school supplies.
WHEN: Ongoing
WHERE: High-needs LA communities (Hawthorne, Leimert Park, Pico/Union, and Baldwin Hills/Crenshaw, Long Beach, East Los Angeles, Crenshaw/Hyde Park, Los Feliz)
$$$: Donations help this effort continue to get more children access to books and language development. You can also visit their Target or Amazon Wishlists.

WHO: Veterans Row 2.0
WHAT: TIME ITEMS
This group advocates for housing and land rights for unhoused veterans in Los Angeles county.
This month we will be having our second peaceful March to continue raising awareness. There is currently an encampment of unhoused veterans on the West La Va campus, a 388 piece of land deeded to veterans as a “disabled soldiers home” in 1887. However, illegal land leases run rampant on the property utilizing buildings and more space that is needed for permanent supportive housing. Please join us in continuing to advocate for our community.
Currently collecting following items: Extension Cords, AAA and AA Batteries, Battery Operated Radios, Flashlights, Lanterns, Gloves, Socks, Beanies, Winter Jackets, Long Underwear. Email veteransrow2.0@gmail.com if you have any of these items to contribute or you can buy these items on the wishlist.
WHEN: March will occur in January (keep an eye on IG for updates)
WHERE: Meet at gate across street from 11611 San Vicente Blvd LA, CA 90049

WHO: Allegra Ringo
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
Seeking volunteers for weekend distro to unhoused neighbors in Santa Ana, + volunteer drivers for misc other times. DM Allegra your name & email! Also in need of new/ gently used blankets.
WHEN: Saturday & Sunday afternoons
WHERE: Santa Ana area
$$$: Venmo allegra-ringo, contribute via wishlist

WHO: Harbor City Food Pantry
WHAT: TIME MONEY
This is a family run effort that provides free food and supplies to various LA communities most known for distributing free food boxes every Saturday to anyone that needs one. To volunteer or ask questions, DM Harbor City Food Pantry on IG or email harborcityfoodpantry@gmail.com
WHEN: Saturdays @ 11am-1pm
WHERE: 1034 West 252nd St. Harbor City, CA 90710
$$$: Donate to help fuel the pantry via paypal, patreon, Venmo: @Tricia-Tucker-15 or Cashapp

WHO: Project Ropa
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
Project Ropa ’s mobile clothing closet delivers hope as well as clean clothes, shoes, hygiene kits and other essentials to unhoused communities on a weekly basis. Currently seeking men’s and women’s winter clothing and hygiene products. In-kind item list and more info here. Volunteer opportunities include helping at weekly direct service locations in Echo Park, Boyle Heights and Hollywood, sorting clothes and creating hygiene kits at warehouse in Gardena and remotely assembly hygiene kits and laundry kits for unhoused neighbors.
WHEN: Weekly on weekdays at various times and bi-weekly on Saturdays from 10am-12pm.
WHERE: Service sites in Echo Park, Boyle Heights, Hollywood, warehouse in Gardena, remote
$$$: Always accepting monetary donations (Venmo: ProjectRopa) to help provide vital essentials to the unhoused. Currently fundraising for winter gear.

WHO: Los Angeles Student Solidarity
WHAT: ITEMS MONEY
This is a youth-led mutual aid group uplifting fellow LA students and serving their communities with materials to benefit students’ educations. Currently seeking hygiene items, school supplies, or other essentials to be distributed at the Echo Park Library. Please reach out to lastudentsolidarity@gmail.com with any questions!
WHEN: Donations can be dropped off at the below address on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month (excluding holidays) from 12-4pm.
WHERE: 1410 w Temple St. 90026
$$$: Always accepting monetary donations Venmo: @lastudentsolidarity / PayPal: lastudentsolidarity@gmail.com

WHO: LA Neighbors for Neighbors
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
LAN4N is a volunteer-led organization fighting for housing justice and services for unhoused Angelenos. Since unhoused folks live disconnected from services and the city of LA constantly displaces our neighbors through violent sweeps, we bring folks back together through a once-a-month resource center that provides a variety of survival resources and services. Direct transportation is provided for all guests. We are looking for volunteers to join our outreach team and provide support for our monthly resource center. Email us at laneighbors4neighbors@gmail.com to get involved.
WHEN: The Resource Center occurs the third Saturday of every month from 8am - 4pm. Outreach efforts happen daily. *Due to the surge in covid cases, for our next center (Jan. 15) we have pivoted to an outreach/distribution effort for that date. Email us if you are interested. The next Access Center will be Feb. 19 pending covid protocols and precautions.
WHERE: All throughout the westside. Resource center is in Mar Vista.
$$$: Donate here!

WHO: Pasadena Black Equity Project (PBEP)
WHAT: TIME MONEY
PBEP is a network of resources for Black Pasadena residents. You can read full mission statement here. We call on folks to donate to the Pasadena Black Equity Mutual Aid Fund to support Black residents and families of the greater Pasadena area. This fund helps pay for essentials amidst the pressures of a global pandemic, unemployment, housing insecurity, and racial injustice. Fill out the volunteer interest form or email pasadenabep@gmail.com with inquiries.
WHEN: Ongoing online!
WHERE: Greater Pasadena Area
$$$: Donate here or via Cashapp: $pasadenabep

WHO: Street Watch LA
WHAT: TIME MONEY
Please join up if you’re looking to build relationships with your Unhoused neighbors, help bring them into the fight and abolish the system that deprives people of basic human rights and needs! Those interested in becoming involved in any aspect of Street Watch should email streetwatch@dsa-la.org
WHEN: Varying times
WHERE: Near you in Los Angeles!
$$$: Donations will go toward crucial supplies for our unhoused comrades such as handwashing stations, hygiene and harm reduction supplies, tents, and food, as well as materials and resources to support our organizing efforts.

WHO: LifeKit
WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
LifeKit is an org that believes granting individuals dignity through basic hygiene items is an immediate necessity. And they act on their belief by assembling and distributing hygiene kits to people experiencing homelessness. Additionally, this group hosts Bodega Day every week on Tuesdays, providing free community grocery and household item shopping. Volunteers are needed to help safely run the bodega and assemble hygiene kits for unhoused neighbors across LA! Sign up to volunteer or email info@lifekitla.com. LifeKit is also accepting donations of unexpired canned items and pantry goods, which can be dropped off during the below hours at the below location.
WHEN: Bodega Day Tuesdays 4-7pm, LifeKit Fridays 4-7pm WHERE: 3942 1/2 Beverly Blvd. $$$: Funds are used for hygiene kit supplies. Venmo @lifekitla / donate via website.

WHO: Mac Park Crew WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
This group provides supplies and food to unhoused and underserved residents of the MacArthur Park and El Pueblo areas. They also offer several different ways to contribute, from cooking and serving large quantities of food to doing supply pick-ups to building hygiene kits on your own. Do yourself a favor and follow & DM @evadotwoods on IG to get the scoop on current needs and opps. This group will be accepting new or gently used cold weather gear throughout the winter.
WHEN: Various times for in-person volunteer opps, remote kit assembly on your own time
WHERE: MacArthur Park and El Pueblo, remote $$$: Be super helpful by buying items on their wishlist and/or sending fund$ to fuel the ongoing meals and supplies they provide to unhoused folks via Venmo:@Catherine-Schetina / CashApp $CatherineSchetina

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: Free Food Collective WHAT: TIME ITEMS MONEY
We recover excess food from farmers markets and deliver it directly to unhoused folks living on the Westside. Email freefoodcollective@gmail.com to volunteer your time or donate your gently used crockpots and hot plates.
WHEN: Sundays 2:30pm - 5:00pm
WHERE: Glen Alla Park at the corner of Glencoe Ave & Alla Rd
$$$: Donate via our website!

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

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