Southwest DC is an area that has been hit hard by the pandemic. In a ward full of residents facing food insecurity, people in the community have stepped up to make sure their neighbors do not go without, like Tawana Baylor. Ms. Tawana works as a violence interrupter in her neighborhood, but she is so much more to the children in her community. Many even said they see her as a second mother.

Tawana feeds the children in her southwest DC neighborhood and has done so for years. She manages a makeshift toy outlet, library, and grocery store all out of her small apartment while creating a safe space for families and children whenever they may need help. She funds her operation by pinching pennies and support from various family, friends, and non-profit agencies.

In this episode of Helping Hands, Ms. Tawana, as everyone calls her, brought balloons to one of her volunteers, Ben, in the community for his birthday, not knowing she was the one actually in for a surprise.

After Ben blew out his candles, Ms. Tawana was surprised with a check for $1,500 from Easterns Automotive Group to help her continue to feed the children in her community. Blown away by her selfless actions, Joel Bassam shared how amazed we are by her work in her community. She was initially in shock and brought to tears. She did not have the words to express her gratitude.

When Ms. Tawana finally found the words to say, she shared how happy she was that she no longer has to pinch pennies to make sure everyone in her community is cared for.

Helping Hands, powered by ABC 7, is always looking to help out people or organizations in need worthy of assistance. If you know someone that fits this description, please?click here?to nominate them.

COVID-19 has left some individuals in unfortunate circumstances. Some are still without jobs and the support they had before. However, it is incredible to see people in our community pull together to help one another during this time, like Sharita Rouse, the owner of gourmet candy apple store Tummy Yumyum in Manassas, VA.?

Sharita says, in 2008, God directed her to open a candy apple store, even though she had never made candy apples before. One day, someone stopped by her store looking for food, and again she says God directed her to start feeding anyone in need without asking, and since then, she has been feeding individuals for over ten years through her business. Due to the influx of people in need during the pandemic, Sharita began to provide hot meals for about 500-600 people a week from her candy apple storefront.?

It is always a pleasure to partner with ABC 7’s Helping Hands initiative and give back to those doing incredible work in the community. Presented by Kidd Oshea, we were excited to surprise Tummy YumYum with $1500 to go towards her actions in the Manassas community.?

Helping Hands, powered by ABC 7, is always looking to help out people or organizations in need worthy of assistance. If you know someone that fits this description, please?click here?to nominate them.

Once the pandemic brought the world to a complete stop, it ended jobs for many across the globe. Tri Trinh?s photo booth business took a big hit once there was a halt to events. He lost his source of income and gained lots of free time during the pandemic. With more time on his hands, he wanted to find ways to give back to the community with very little money.?

It began with a coat drive. On the first three Saturdays of October, Tri gave away hundreds of coats to anyone in need. The idea for a food pantry sparked when he noticed others began to put canned goods in community libraries instead of books. Tri opened DC?s first 24/7 food pantry outside of Bluebird Sky Yoga. Understanding that, like himself, there are many newly unemployed people and don?t know where to go, he wanted to be that helping hand for those in this time of need without judgment. The food pantry has a take what you need set up, and he visits the pantry throughout the day to make sure the shelves are stocked.?

He has since launched a non-profit called Kindness DC and hopes to open more 24/7 food pantries across the district. Partnered with ABC 7?s Helping Hands, Easterns Automotive?s Joel Bassam was able to share our surprise donation of $1500 to continue his mission.?

“This is awesome! This will help us fill the pantry for three full weeks,” Trinh said.?

Helping Hands, powered by ABC 7, is always looking to help out people or organizations in need that are worthy of assistance. If you know someone that fits this description, please click here to nominate them.