Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team, Inc.

Food For All  and Neighbors Helping Neighbors provide food aid to more than 400 households in the Mount Pleasant neighborhood every week. While Food For All relies on rescued and donated food whenever possible, as the crisis drags on, free food is becoming less available. While our per-household cost remains low (hovering around $8.50), we urgently need support from the community to keep this vital, grassroots effort afloat. 

At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Food For All , an autonomous program of AMURT which has been providing food to vulnerable populations in DC for decades, shifted its operations to meet the moment, drastically scaling up its food deliveries. In May, it joined forces with Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a grassroots volunteer network focused on serving the Mount Pleasant community. 

Beneficiaries receive a variety of shelf stable items, fresh produce, and milk at weekly distribution sites at Bancroft Elementary, Sacred Heart, and the Woodner Apartments. These distributions effectively reach some of Mount Pleasant’s most vulnerable residents directly in their communities, not only providing food but freeing up limited resources to pay for rent, utilities, and other necessities.

By relying on an enthusiastic group of volunteers and whenever possible, procuring food through food rescue efforts and from discounted sources, Food For All has kept costs low. However, there are still costs required for such a large operation. Food For All needs additional funds in order to purchase groceries, rent delivery trucks, and pay for gas. Every dollar counts!

$10 buys a bag of nonperishable groceries to feed a family for one week. 

$15 covers gas for one week of deliveries

$100 covers truck rental for one week of deliveries

Food For All and Neighbors Helping Neighbors are dedicated to maintaining this level of food aid for as long as the need persists, but we need your help. We are asking our neighbors in Mount Pleasant and throughout DC to donate what they can and share this fundraiser throughout the neighborhood. Thank you for supporting our community during this difficult time.

Want to join me in making a difference in these trying times???

I'm raising money to benefit AMURT*/Food for All DC and any donation will help make an impact. Thanks in advance for your contribution to this cause that means so much to me.

This is a very fluid situation. Right now we just want to be ready to react. If hand sanitizer and wipes are available we'll probably spend some of this money on these - for our clients, most of whom are at high risk.  

I've been volunteering with Food for All DC every week for over 12 years now. I know how much of a difference we make to people's lives. 

https://www.foodforalldc.org

*AMURT is Food for All DC's parent organization.

AMURT Nigeria  created the women’s empowerment program because there were women, primarily widows, that did not have the money for the medication they needed for their children.  To launch the program, they identify 15-20 women who they believe can successfully start and run a business.  They draw lots and start with 10 of the women.  There are two stipulations - in the 3rd month they have to pay back 10% of the loan, and they must attend a women's circle to discuss their work and receive some education.   They use the 10% to fund the 11th woman until all the women receive their loan.  After all the women are funded and the loans repaid, they start a new cohort.  Thus far, the peer pressure appears to work to ensure that the payback rate is 100%. With this model, once the project is seeded, it is completely sustainable.    

We need $1000 to get the program rolling in the community so I am hoping to raise $4000 so that they can implement the program in five communities where it is not currently operating.

AMURT Nigeria (www.AMURTNigeria.org) provides primary care in remote villages in Ebonyi State, Nigeria.  They also address access to clean water, health education, teen pregnancy, as well as women’s empowerment.  They are directly affecting the 15 or 20 women who receive loans but an incalculable number because they serve as examples to other women observing their success.  I did ask what they will do once all the widow are served, and they assured me that they will never run out of widows.