May 7, 2020

  
Dear Friends,

The past seven weeks have been so incredibly difficult. I'm sure I don't need to say any more about the challenges we are all facing in different ways. In the spirit of Mr. Rogers to "look for the helpers," I am amazed by the work that has been accomplished as we have come together in this time of crisis. 

On March 6, I convened the first brainstorming phone call for what would become Greater Riverdale Cares. One month later look what we have accomplished #onlytogether. We are not resting, but are propelled forward as the need is so great.


Here are just a few examples of the stories behind these numbers:

Pastor Eric So with Peace City Church didn't hesitate to agree that he and other members of the church would deliver World Central Kitchen meals twice a week, door-to-door at Park View Terrace Apartments to refugee and asylee families in need. They have also committed to making 1,000 masks to give to vulnerable families.

The Greater Washington Community Foundation and Washington Nationals Philanthropies partnered to bring Get Shift Done to the DMV. Donated funds pay the hourly wage for laid off hospitality workers to support food distributions. Fifteen local workers were paid to assist in our large food distributions through this program.

Terrapin Works at the University of Maryland is using their 3D printer to print face shields for hospitals and front-line workers. We teamed up to purchase 100 for our food distribution volunteers.

Deborah Archer with the University of Maryland Extension Food Supplement Nutrition Education (FSNE) Program also known as Maryland SNAP-Ed reached out to offer free seedlings at several food distribution sites. This was a partnership between Schmidt Center staff, the Gwynn Park HS Future Farmers of America Club, and the Soil Conservation District to provide the seedlings along with a bilingual handouts on caring for plants and a link for students and parents interested in viewing brief video links of University of Maryland Extension Master Gardeners providing some basic information on seed starts, using recyclables to start your garden, and plant maintenance.

Volunteer sewers and drivers Route 1 Mask Match reached out to offer to provide vulnerable families with reusable, washable cloth masks.

Brighter Bites which normally would be providing fresh produce to families at Beacon Heights Elementary every Friday pivoted quickly to offer their logistics expertise and connections to other efforts to support local families.

Neighborhood Design Center has put their talents to work to design social distancing graphics and crucial information which will will be able to hand out at all food distribution sites.


Many District 3 and County-wide nonprofit organizations participated in Giving Tuesday. View my Giving Tuesday email newsletter here.

Please help spread the word about our PGCPS Grab and Go meal sites. Many families still don't know about them. These sites are open to all youth ages 2-18 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10am until 1pm. Every Monday kids receive two days of meals and every Wednesday kids receive three days of meals. The meals are now breakfast, lunch, and supper. If the student is not able to pick up the meals, an adult may pick them up with the student's report card or student ID.

There are six meal sites in District 3 and many more County-wide.


If you missed my Virtual Town Hall last week, you can watch  the presentation  here

I have created an online form in English and Spanish to help connect District 3 residents with resources and assistance.

The top portion of the online form lists numerous resources. The bottom portion requests contact information and a brief description of needs. My team and I will use this form to help connect District 3 residents in need with with assistance. Please share the link https://bit.ly/D3Help with others. (Note this shortened link it is case-sensitive.) Not sure if you live in D3? Look at the map here. Of course you are always welcome to reach out directly by calling 301-952-3060 or sending an email to CouncilDistrict3@co.pg.md.us.

Food Distributions Tomorrow, Saturday, May 9

11:30 am, United Baptist Church, 7701 RIverdale Road, New Carrollton

11:30 am, Ebenezer Church of God, 7550 Buchanan Street, Landover Hills

*Please note, these will be much smaller food distributions than our past two Saturday distributions at St. Mary's of Landover Hills. I am hopeful that we will be able to host another large grocery distribution on May 16.

Prince George's County Department of Parks and Recreation is distributing free "Grab and Go" leisure kits to kids every Friday.  Each kit includes fun items for kids such as jump ropes, chalk, art kits, games, and more! Pick them up from 12pm - 2pm every Friday at  Marlow Heights Community Center,  Oakcrest Community Center or  Glenarden Community Center.



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As always, feel free to reach out to a member of my District 3 team or me if we can help you in any way. I am sharing updates regularly on social media, especially my Facebook page.   #onlytogether

Together Strengthening Our Community,





P.S. Complete the 2020 Census TODAY! Call 844-330-2020, no code needed. Then let your friends know you've been counted--share this status on your social media: I am #ProudtobeCounted in PGC. Are you? Your community is counting on you to complete the Census 2020! Call 844-330-2020 TODAY to be counted! #pgcensus #proudtobecounted #onlytogether

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Watch or speak at our  FINAL
Public Budget Hearing

Monday, May 11

Learn more or sign up to speak via the eComment portal here.

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Cada Miercoles
Every Wednesday



SNAP Espanol



 
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 Contact Your 
D3 Team
301-952-3060

CouncilDistrict3
@co.pg.
md.us
 
Wanda Brooks 
Citizen Services Specialist
-- 
geneather Lloyd
Office Manager & Scheduler
glloyd@co.pg.md.us 
--
Aimee Olivo 
Chief of Staff
-- 
Leah Show-Wright
Policy Intern
lashowwright@co.pg.md.us
--
Alina Smith
Latino Liaison
--
Alesha Wilson
Community Outreach & Special Projects Coordinator
aewilson@co.pg.md.us


If you have received this e-news from someone other than my office, and are interested in receiving this update directly, please email CouncilDistrict3@co.pg.md.us or call (301) 952-3060.