In our more than 40 years of operation, today is one of the biggest days in Bread for the City’s history. By the time you read this, we’ll have broken ground on our largest project ever: a brand-new Southeast Center on Good Hope Road, SE.

As I wrote yesterday, the groundbreaking is historic, but bittersweet. DC is experiencing tremendous economic growth. By contrast, our current Southeast Center has been at-capacity for years and with so little space, we can’t even offer the medical care for which our Northwest Center is known.

As demand continues to grow in Southeast and Northeast DC, we have to Do More.

Today’s groundbreaking coincides with Do More 24, the DC region’s annual day of giving. As we continue our fight against poverty and in the pursuit of racial equity, I’m calling on all of our supporters to help us do more.

Today and today only, one of our generous donors will match every donation we receive for our Southeast Center expansion, up to $40,000. Your gift today will help us build a solid foundation for our future in Southeast DC — literally!

Please give today.

But Do More 24 is about more than matching funds and new buildings – though both are important. Donations support the very important work that our staff and volunteers do everyday.

Your donations support the mission laid out by our chairman, Paul R. Taskier, outlined in last year’s “Why Are We Here?“:

“We are here because we are committed to helping our neighbors in need – giving them nutritious food, social services, legal advice and representation, medical and dental care, training, clothing, and assistance in finding housing.”

Your donations support our legal practice, which provides quality legal advice and representation on family, public benefits, domestic violence, and housing matters.

Your donations support our medical practice, which provides dental, vision, behavioral and primary care for thousands of DC residents.

Your donations support our advocacy program, which helps us organize and train residents to tell their stories in an impactful way and push for a more just District through racial equity.

I mention those things because every dollar donated this Do More 24 impacts real people, everyday. And through the generosity of our supporters, we have an opportunity to double the impact of those dollars and turn $40,000 into $80,000.

As we prepare for our overdue Southeast expansion, I invite you to help us make this year an even more historic Do More 24. Help us lay a solid foundation on Good Hope Road for decades to come.

Let’s Do More — together.