Seven Stars Bakery donates hundreds of bread loaves & baked goods during the first months of the lockdown
Over the past three months, WBNA has been at reduced staff capacity, but has worked to keep its doors open and support the community in a number of ways during COVID-19, with the generous and inspiring help of many partners and volunteers. We’ve also continued to advocate for housing initiatives and community-centered development, and are responding to immediate issues such as the Movement for Black Lives.
As individual neighbors, local businesses, and city and elected officials identified community needs during these early months of the pandemic, WBNA worked to provide support to many of the efforts and people striving to meet those needs. We remain grateful to have been able to help bring resources where they made a difference, and will continue to provide a platform and support – as our capacity allows – in response to ongoing COVID-related challenges.
Here are some of the things we’ve been doing (with some ongoing) since March:
Partnered with Seven Stars Bakery to distribute 850 loaves of its donated fresh bread to neighbors at nearby senior and affordable housing facilities, food pantries, and other neighborhood partners including Federal Hill House’s Swiss Street Pantry, Olneyville Food Center, Parenti Villa, St. Martin DePorres, Marvin Gardens, Wiggin Village, and St. Elizabeth Place. HUGE THANKS to Seven Stars, and to all who helped with deliveries – Councilor Miller, Joe Roch, Emily Koo, Obed Papp, Caleb Borchers, Terry Snook, and Lizzie Araujo
Assisted board member Obed Papp, the city, and the Providence Emergency Management Agency (PEMA) in distributing 100 frozen meals to seniors
Work with Councilor Rachel Miller to support the Councilor’s Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, and lead a block coordinator recruitment effort to help connect neighbors who need assistance during the pandemic to resources and food. Thank you to Councilor Miller and all block coordinators
Created a SHOP IN PLACE initiative driven by neighbor input to promote local businesses that were open during the shelter in place order. This list included restaurants and other shops in our focus area, which we promoted in communications and on social media
Held a Medical Supply Drive in partnership with neighbor-organizers and tattoo parlors during the first weeks of shelter in place orders to help bring much-needed personal protective equipment to hospitals and medical staff. Thanks to former board member Amanda Poirier who spearheaded the effort
Share pandemic-related communications and press releases from the City and State, as well as information about support agencies for food, health, COVID testing, small business aid, and mental health, through our newsletter and on social media
Organized a Stay-At-Home Singalong for 6 weeks, from late March to early May, to lift spirits and bring community together while social distancing. This nightly event featured a neighbor-led song streamed on Facebook Live (see videos here). Thanks to Jenica Reed Conley and Rebecca Atwood, and to special guests Tyler-James Kelly of The Silks (and Cowboy & Lady); Jess Powers of Cowboy & Lady; Miss Wensday; Captain Cody; Jess, Chelsea and Mo from Pierce Street; and Dennise Kowalczyk.
Partnered with PuroClean RI to host a Cleanup Week Challenge, which culminated in a random drawing of three $75 gift cards from neighborhood restaurants that were awarded to lucky participants. This effort fueled an alternative cleanup event while also supporting local businesses during shelter-in-place orders. Many thanks to catalyst and former board member Chris Sanford
Sought grant funding to allow us to keep our doors open in the face of diminished financial capacity, due to the loss of several income streams including business sponsorship, cancellation of our only annual fundraiser, & other sources. Many thanks to Citizens Bank for a $15,000 Recovery Program grant, and to Bank RI for its assistance in attaining a PPP loan
In addition, we’ve worked on existing WBNA initiatives and advocacy, as well as emergent issues:
Advocating for housing-related issues such as supporting statewide and federal moratoriums on evictions, and a federal-level campaign urging housing relief funding for rent assistance and support for those experiencing homelessness, while also exploring and championing opportunities to expand affordable housing in the neighborhood. We are grateful to the tireless advocacy of HomesRI, of which WBNA is a supporting organization
Continued tracking of neighborhood development including the proposed redevelopment of 6 parcels of land at the former Citizens Bank Building and new construction at Hudson and Messer Streets
Committed our support and solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives and with protesters in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police officers & the murders of other black lives, and are refocusing to bring anti-racism and increased equity to our work
We thank all of you for doing what you can – and continuing to do so – to help neighbors, keep yourselves and others safe and healthy, and offer your time and resources to raise up others during this extremely challenging time. It’s not over, and there are many unknowns. But we continue to be inspired by the resiliency, resourcefulness, and generosity of our neighbors, local businesses, and city and state leaders.