Blog / Development

Bread for the City Board Member Leonard Edwards explains the importance of donating to our Holiday Helpings program this year.

To help give back to Bread for the City and other incredible charities, simply shop with AmazonSmile at no extra cost to you.

Our community members are in deep need due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many low-income families are struggling with employment, food security, and mental health. The holiday season is here, but celebrating with family and friends may not be a priority to everyone. Holiday Helpings this year is about turning tradition into progress, we’re providing the necessary tools for people to make their own decisions. This year Lauren Taylor, Representative Payee Benefits Coordinator, created a classy page to help raise funds for Holiday Helpings. We got the chance to speak with Lauren about her participation this year.

Community members explain the impact of Thrive East of the River. It’s a partnership between Bread for the City, 11th Street Bridge Park, Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, and Martha’s Table. We’re providing 500+ households impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns with $5,500 in cash, groceries, diapers, and other dry goods; and assistance with financial counseling and job readiness.

Holiday Helpings has always been more than just providing meals to low-income families, it’s a time for families to come together and participate in something meaningful. Bread for the City’s Northwest Resource Systems Specialist, Stacey Johnson, has participated in Holiday Helpings each year with a fundraising drive and it’s become a welcomed family tradition. The key to her family’s success is having fun while helping the community that Bread for the City serves. We got the chance to speak with Stacey about her participation each year. 

iNK BLOTS, Vol. 1 is the first compilation of poems from the DC Poetry Collective, a group that meets weekly to work on poems and refine their craft. All proceeds will go to Bread for the City! Purchase a copy here: ow.ly/NkL250CfqQ5

Bread for the City CEO George Jones explains the importance of Holiday Helpings this year. For 2020, we are expanding our reach to 15,000 families with more options to receive holiday helpings.

Last year, Bread for the City believed no family or individual should spend the holiday season without celebrating with their families and friends, due to their inability to pay. This year, we still have that same belief, but celebrating with family and friends may not be a priority to everyone.  Holiday Helpings this year is about turning tradition into progress, we’re providing the necessary tools for people to make their own decisions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people may not celebrate the holidays with a feast, but we still must provide support to our neighbors during these times.