Random Acts Of Kindness Day: Help Feed Neighbors In Georgetown

GEORGETOWN, DC — Random Acts of Kindness Day, set this year for Wednesday, Feb. 17, sees amplified importance in 2021 as people in Georgetown and throughout the world continue to struggle with the coronavirus pandemic that is now more than 11 months old.

Among the ways to make a difference on Random Acts of Kindness Day this year is to make sure your neighbors in Georgetown have enough to eat.

For about 14 percent of the people residing in D.C., food budgets are stretched thin from job losses, business closures and other economic havoc wrought by the pandemic. That’s according to a projection by Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger relief organization, which notes that as many as 50 million Americans faced food insecurity at 2020’s end.

You can help with a tax-deductible contribution to Feeding America, which says the economic fallout of the pandemic has sent millions of Americans to food banks for the first time. For every $1 you give, Feeding America is able to provide 10 meals through its network of 200 food banks that serve and supply 60,000 food pantries, kitchens and meal programs.

If you’re among those struggling to find enough food — or if you want to volunteer — here are some resources here in the District:

• Food Pantry by Bread for the City, SOME (So Others Might Eat)-71 O Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001; 202-695-7816
• Community Outreach - Food Bankby Greater Fellowship Full Gospel Baptist Church, 814 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20032; 202-561-5594
• Martha's Table Markets by Martha's Table, 1474 Columbia Road Northwest, Washington, DC 20009; 202-328-6608
• Food Pantryby SOME (So Others Might Eat), 71 O Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001; 202-695-7816
• Emergency Food, Food Pantry by Faith Tabernacle of Prayer - 2465 Alabama Ave SE, Washington, DC 20020; 202-678-6012
• Emergency Food, Food Pantry by Canaan Baptist Church - Northwest, Washington, DC 20010; 202-234-5330
• Helping Hands Food Distribution by First Rising Zion Baptist Church - 602 N Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001; 202-289-4480
• Pop-up Pantries and After School Meals by Capital Area Food Bank, 2498 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20020
• Love Is Action Food Pantry by Greater Refuge Temple D.C., 500 56th Street Northeast, Washington, DC 20019; 202-388-5605
• Food Pantryby Holy Temple Church, 439 12th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20003
• Food Marketsby Produce in a SNAP, 4275 4th Street Southeast, Washington, DC 20032
• Food Giveaway by New Samaritan Baptist Church, 1100 Florida Avenue Northeast, Washington, DC 20002
• Food Pantry by Freedom Chapel Church, 1430 Alabama Avenue Southeast, Washington, DC 20032

Random Acts of Kindness Day traces back to 1995 and the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation, a small nonprofit based in Denver. It was then adopted in New Zealand in 2004, according to DaysOfTheYear.com, and has since been celebrated all over the world as a way to help others in simple ways.

It is held on Feb. 17 every year regardless of what day of the week it falls on, the National Day Calendar shows.

Patch has partnered with Feeding America to help raise awareness on behalf of the millions of Americans facing hunger. Feeding America, which supports 200 food banks across the country, estimated that by the end of 2020, more than 50 million Americans will not have enough nutritious food to eat due to the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. This is a Patch social good project; Feeding America receives 100 percent of donations. Find out how you can donate in your community or find a food pantry near you.