The pandemic has taught us many important things. Among them are two apparent truths: people find wearing a mask violates their civil liberties, and the government is even less willing to help in the face of widespread death and disease. The power of community, however, is unshakable, and cannot be toppled.

Ayuda Mutua MKE and Metcalfe Park Community Bridges have proven to be two pillars in the proverbial edifice of community. Both outreach efforts distribute food, personal protective equipment (PPE), and hygiene products five days a week, and rely completely on donations. It’s only natural, then, that they should team up with the Milwaukee Turners, a longstanding institution dedicated to a self-proclaimed “Sound mind in a sound body” philosophy.

On Monday, August 10, these three entities will join with Marquette University’s Center for Urban Research, Teaching & Outreach for a food, PPE, and hygiene supply drive. The event will take place outside Turner Hall, 1034 N. Vel R. Phillips Ave., in the north parking lot. Donations will be accepted from 2-6 p.m., with a press conference at 2.

From the press release by Milwaukee Turners:

In Milwaukee, one of the most racially segregated cities in the United States, decades of institutional racism and inadequate economic opportunities compound hardships in already vulnerable communities. Milwaukeeans are currently reeling under the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic – which is disproportionately affecting Black and immigrant communities due to these structural disparities.

Since the first days of the pandemic, Ayuda Mutua, on the Southside of Milwaukee, and Metcalfe Park Community Bridges, on the Northside of Milwaukee, have been delivering food and supplies to people in need.

In order to offset resource hardships, our neighbors are looking for contributions of unopened and undamaged packages of the following:

• PPE supplies including: masks, gloves, bleach, cleaning sprays, hand sanitizer, baking soda;

• Nonperishable, boxed or canned food including: beans, rice, tortillas, pastas, juice, honey, cereals, oatmeal, grits, granola;

• Hygiene supplies including: toilet paper, sanitary napkins and tampons, toothpaste, bars of soap, hand and body soap, deodorants, toothpaste, diapers and pull ups, baby wipes and formula;

• School supplies including: book bags, school supplies, and culturally-sensitive children’s books.

“It’s incredibly important that the Milwaukee Turners take action and show solidarity against segregation and racism. The Milwaukee Turners at Turner Hall are geographically and socially positioned to play an important role to challenge desegregation in the heart of Milwaukee,” reported Emilio De Torre, Executive Director of the Milwaukee Turners. “Please join the Milwaukee Turners in supporting the ongoing work begun by Ayuda Mutua and Metcalfe Park Community Bridges. They have worked tirelessly and not profited financially from these actions. It’s what real community does.”

Support for Ayuda crew
https://m.signupgenius.com/#!/showSignUp/9040b4da5ac2da5f58-driver

Online donations for Ayuda
Venmo: @cosecha13
Paypal.me/cosecha13
Phone: 414-208-4775

About The Author

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Juan Miguel Martinez is a writer from the south side of Milwaukee. He only writes until he can land a role as the mechanic friend of the handsome lead in a telenovela. His favorite movie is Repo Man.