Friends, the Chirilagua community right next to us has been hit hard by COVID-19 with job loss and illness, and they *urgently* need support. You can help — bring nonperishable food and diapers etc to Calvary UMC (at Grant St and 23rd S) this Saturday 6/9 from 11a-1pm. We are hoping to fill an entire 20-foot truck with supplies. Info and a list of most needed household and food supplies is here: http://www.calmeth.org/mission-covid

“STUFF THE TRUCK” EVENT

COMMUNITY-WIDE MISSION TO FILL 20-FOOT TRUCK WITH FOOD AND SUPPLIES FOR HARD-HIT CHIRILAGUA COMMUNITY

WHAT:            STUFF THE TRUCK

WHEN:            Saturday, June 6^th 2020; 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

WHERE:         Calvary UMC, 2315 S. Grant Street, Arlington, VA 22202

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many in the Chirilagua neighborhood are experiencing hardship from job loss, sickness, and food insecurity. Recent data revealed that over 40% of Chirilagua residents are unemployed and, in mid-May, over 55% of COVID tests taken by community members living in Chirilagua were positive.

To respond to the crisis in Chirilagua, Calvary UMC launched MISSION:COVID in May. The project will culminate in a “Stuff the Truck” donation event on Saturday, June 6 from 11am-1pm. This large-scale, community-wide food collection event has set an ambitious goal to fill a 20-foot truck with the items most needed by Chirilagua residents and families.

To participate, donors can come to Calvary UMC and bring donated food and supplies to place in the truck. Items needed most are shelf-stable foods such as rice, beans, canned food and corn flour.

“Stuff the Truck” caps off a month-long fund drive to raise urgently needed resources for Chirilagua community. Church members and friends have so far raised $24,000 of its $25,000 goal needed to aid Chirilagua. The church has planned to make an additional pledge of $15,000 to bring the total contribution to at least $40,000.

Donors wishing to make a financial contribution to Mission:COVID can donate at the event or through the Calmeth.org website, or text GIVE to 703-936-2684 and select MISSION:COVID from the menu.

For a list of items and supplies needed and more information, visit  Calmeth.org/mission-covid

CONTACT: Jenny Lawhorn, 202.821.8898