Poor People on the Mall

Organizers with the Philadelphia-based Kensington Welfare Rights Union (KWRU) and the D.C. chapter of Code Pink have set up a donation drive to build a reservoir of supplies needed to sustain a Poor People's Encampment on the Mall from Aug. 23 to 30. The encampment will house between 200 and 500 people, all of whom will need the following supplies:

Water
Non-perishable juices
Packaged foods and snacks
Meals (Aug. 23-29)
Rain gear
First aid supplies, especially asthma medication
Toiletries
Baby supplies
Art supplies for children
Blankets
Tarps
American flags

These supplies can be sent to (or dropped off in the entryway behind the chapel at) St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 1525 Newton St. NW. Please mark items: "KWRU Poor People's Encampment" and deliver during the following hours only:

Monday – Thursday, 8:30 to 10 p.m.
Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Saturday, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

KWRU is looking for monetary donations to help cover the cost of vehicles and gas, and the group also needs a small stage, sound system and hand carts for its week on the Mall.

To donate a meal, stage, sound system, handcart or money, or to find out more about the KWRU encampment, call Anne Kretzmann at 202/246-5462. For questions about the St. Stephens drive, or to volunteer during the week of Aug. 23-30, please contact Kristen Arant at 202/393-5016.