FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                     
May 20, 2020

Media Inquiries: marketing@anacostiabid.org
 

ANACOSTIA BID PROVIDES VITAL COMMUNITY RESOURCES DURING COVID-19
Has delivered over 25,000 meals to seniors and launched resources for Anacostia small businesses and nonprofits 

WASHINGTON, DC – The Anacostia Business Improvement District’s Food Access Consortium is making a tremendous impact east of the Anacostia River by providing over 1,000 free meals daily to local seniors during the COVID-19 public health crisis. The Anacostia BID, a Ward 8 non-profit, has expanded its mission to provide support to those hardest hit by the public health emergency.

In early March, the Anacostia BID’s Food Access Consortium, in coordination with partners including Ward 8 Councilmember Trayon White, Chapman LLC, Career Path DC, Starbucks, World Central Kitchen, Far Southeast Family Strengthening Collaborative, and National Service Contractors answered the call to improve food access east of the river during the public health emergency. Within a few days, the collective established a food distribution center in the heart of Historic Anacostia at the retail space at Maple View Flats. The distribution center serves as the staging area where meals provided by World Central Kitchen are then loaded on trucks for delivery to local seniors. 

"Historic Anacostia is the heart of the District, so compassion and community is not a new concept for us. That said, we knew it was imperative to meet seniors where they were throughout all of Ward 8, to connect with them in this way right now. I'm proud of not only the Anacostia BID but all of our volunteers and partners. We came together to serve and support our most valuable community resource - our seniors," says Kristina Noell, the Anacostia BID's Executive Director. 

In addition to providing much-needed support for local seniors, the Anacostia BID has enhanced its services for the small businesses and non-profits located within the BID. The ABID Business Briefing came out of a need to support the business community during the economic crisis brought on by the Coronavirus pandemic. The virtual briefings are hosted weekly as a resource for  BID members to connect with resources and share information. 

"At this critical time, it’s more important than ever not to work in silos, but for all of us to lean in to help our businesses survive. We're providing comprehensive support by compiling, sharing, and disseminating information, resources, and legislation for our stakeholders," says Noell.   “The Anacostia BID is here to serve and remains committed to navigating these uncertain times together.”

To learn more, visit www.anacostiabid.org or contact the Anacostia Business Improvement District at info@anacostiabid.org. 

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About the Anacostia Business Improvement District (ABID)
The Anacostia BID is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization established in 2012 and governed by a board of directors. The Anacostia BID provides valuable services to support the commercial, creative, and non-profit community located within the Anacostia BID's boundaries. As a community-based organization, the BID is relied upon to be an integral part of the resurgence of the commercial corridors of the Historic Anacostia neighborhood. The BID is committed to a thriving, safe, clean, and inviting community through placemaking, partnerships, and marketing.