John,

More people live in Los Angeles County than in most U.S. states, and millions of residents are still struggling with toxic smoke, in addition to thousands who’ve lost their homes in the ongoing fires. As fires still burn, nearly 100,000 people are still under evacuation orders, and intense winds are picking back up this week. With little protection from the dangerous air, unhoused residents are still facing cruel city-led sweeps that destroy the few belongings they do have.

Mutual aid groups are stepping up to serve the community, connecting displaced people with housing support and distributing much-needed survival supplies like food, water, and protective equipment such as N95 masks.

Right now, the Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network is playing an essential role, connecting over 100 mutual aid efforts that are providing essential services and doing direct work on the ground in their neighborhoods.

For years, the Mutual Aid LA Network has coordinated a group directory and connected mutual aid groups, people in need of resources, and well-resourced people with each other. The network also runs its own programs to support unhoused and under-resourced LA residents—such as weekly food distribution and regular events to build and distribute hygiene kits.

The network is a vital information hub that’s already built important expertise and connections, which are especially needed now. For example, the volunteer team partners with LA Community Fridges, so when they heard that many local shelters were overwhelmed with donations, the team pivoted to directing people to distribute resources to community fridges throughout the city.

In this time of crisis, will you donate what you can to the Mutual Aid Los Angeles Network, so they can keep purchasing and sharing survival supplies while redistributing most funds to smaller mutual aid efforts and to individual LA residents in need?

Thank you so much. Together, we can help the community-led groups that are on the ground, already running clothing drives and community clean-ups, supporting seniors and people with disabilities who need evacuation and housing, coordinating pet housing and care, providing medical care and medical supplies, and more.

With more strong winds picking up this week, the conditions are set for ongoing fire spread. While it’s important that people are coming together in this moment of crisis, the community will still need ongoing volunteer support and donations after these next few weeks for long-term rebuilding and recovery. To stay up to date about projects and people who need support, you can also check out the Mutual Aid LA Network’s Instagram page.

Now is also a good time to research the mutual aid groups operating near where you live. We need to take care of each other, and that need will only grow with this upcoming presidential administration.

In solidarity and care,

Rashida