Bren + Friends Serve D.C.
What a year 2020 has been! While most of us are trying to figure out and plan a safe holiday season with our loved ones, our brothers and sisters without food and shelter are probably wondering if they’ll be forgotten this year. After all, COVID-19 has interrupted and changed so many things. However, our mandated precautions won’t stop us from serving our communities!
My family and I started the tradition of cooking warm, home-cooked meals and distributing them to the homeless community and those in need in D.C. on Christmas Day years ago (first when I was a child and then in 2010, which led to today), in an effort to teach the kids in the family that Christmas is about celebrating the life of Christ and service; not about a wishlist and gifts.
In 2016, I rallied my parents, siblings and a few friends and we set out to the cold and empty streets on Christmas Day. We set up at Franklin Square and served 200 hot meals.
In 2018 I decided to expand our service to Columbia Heights and DuPont circle. We served 500 meals in 2018 and 2019. We also started handing out coats, hats, new socks, shoes and anything else, lightly worn, that our volunteers could gather.
For obvious reasons, this year’s needs are different. Our volunteers’ health is paramount priority, as well as the people we’re serving. In order to offset the fixed costs in addition to our uniquely added ones, I’m raising funds. Hats, scarves, lots of socks, coats, sweaters, etc…are needed, especially masks. I need physical hands the night before to help prep as well as the day of to set up and feed/distribute. But money is essential in making this happen.
Our target goal this year is $3,000! We need your help. Please consider making a donation in any amount you are able.
This year will go much like year’s past: We’ll be set up and serving at four different parks in the city, feeding different sectors. Because this year is a little more challenging, we need different resources and different strategies in place in order to keep everyone safe and healthy.
Additionally, our main park, Franklin Square, is closed for renovation. We are in the process of identifying a new hub as well as considering other ways of serving.
My friends and I would love it if you would consider donating in any amount you can!
Details on volunteering the night before and on the day of are soon-coming. Join Bren + Friends for an afternoon of service and merriment!
It’s 2020 and we’re expanding! Our goal this year is to serve 600 meals and give out coats, hats, gloves, etc.!
Prep and Cooking Day
December 23, 2020
Memorial Baptist Church
3455 N. Glebe Rd
Arlington, VA 22207
3:30 pm – 8:30pm
Volunteers for this day are split into three groups in order to minimize shared time and space.
We are looking groups of families or intentional bubbles who can work together per task.
Groups will be 8 ft apart to work.
You will be required to wear masks and gloves at all times.
We may or may not take your temperature upon arrival.
We will provide masks, gloves and sanitizer for all volunteers.
If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up via this Google Doc.
Christmas Service
December 25, 2020
12pm: Volunteers arrive at a Memorial Baptist church to pre-pack 600 meals
1:15: Volunteer drivers pick up meals and goods from church and head straight to their assigned location
1:45: Park service volunteers and drivers arrive at their assigned location
2:00pm-2:30pm: Set up
2:30:4:00pm: Serve the people!
4:00-4:30pm: Break down and clean up
Service Locations
- Columbia Heights Civic Plaza (Park Rd. & Kenyon St.)
- DuPont Circle Park, North End
- 3rd location TBD
Please add this page to your RSS feed for updated information.
Please consider making a donation in any amount you are able. If you do not have PayPal, but wish to use an app, you can submit your donation via CashApp: $honeybeehive or Venmo: @BrenHerrera.
On behalf of my family and friends, thank you! Please stay safe and healthy!
With love and in service,
Bren-
