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What We Do

Seven ongoing ways we help in the Grape Street neighborhood of Watts:

1. Food bank

What is it?

  • ​Immediate and free access access to food set up like a local market provides a crucial safety net for neighborhood families.
     

How does it work?

  • Folks receive a bag donated by Ralph’s and fill the bag with the items they need and enjoy the most.

  • Volunteers maintain and oversee the day-to-day operations.
     

How can you help?

  • Donate money so we can buy the most needed items.

  • Buy food from our Amazon wishlist and send it directly to us.

  • Join or organize a food drive.

  • Volunteer at the food bank to organize or hand out food.

2. Weekly community meal

What is it?

  • A free, hot meal served to the Grape Street neighborhood creating a inclusive, supportive, and resilient community.
     

How does it work?

  • Right after Sunday service, Watts Powerhouse Food hosts a popular multigenerational gathering that provides a time to catch up with friends and family while youngsters play on the giant jungle gym.

  • The meal is created and served by several different volunteer groups that work one week per month.
     

How can you help?

  • Volunteer in the kitchen, help serve, or just clean up.

  • Volunteer to host your own weekend.

  • Sponsor the event ($300/wk) or donate what you can - no donation is too small to help!

3. Job counseling and training

What is it?

  • We help connect amazing local people to job counseling and training in their desired field.
     

How does it work?

  • For those in the Watts community looking for a job, we use our connections from our partners and volunteers to match them with a mentor that can help them in pursuit of their new career.
     

How can you help?

  • Volunteer your time to mentor another who is looking to start out in your career.

  • Share a business connection from your circle by contacting russ.powerhouse@gmail.com.

  • Donate to help with the costs of finding a job like Uber fees, phone plans, business clothes, coffee with mentor, etc.

4. College scholarships

What is it?

  • Assistance for young people with their college expenses.

  • Allows students to focus on their studies without excessive financial stress, increasing their likelihood of completing their degrees.
     

How does it work?

  • The gifted young adults of Watts make their needs known and we help them with education expenses.
     

How can you help?

  • Donate a gift card by contacting russ.powerhouse@gmail.com.

  • Donate directly to the education fund by clicking below.

  • Donate school supplies through our Amazon Wishlist.

5. Young adult group

What is it?

  • Weekly gathering of young adults to help uplift and support each other.
     

How does it work?

  • Every Sunday night, young adults get together to eat food, play games, and hang out.

  • “This is one of the most important financial contributions you can make. People need to know they are loved and important. The Sunday night group does just that.” 
-Group leader, Pastor Todd
     

How can you help?

  • Sponsor the event ($150/wk) or donate what you can - no donation is too small to help!

6. Campus maintenance

What is it?

  • Local groups and community members pitch in to maintain this cornerstone of the Watts community, which includes the Powerhouse Church and Watts Powerhouse Food.
     

How does it work?

  • We organize civic groups, churches, businesses, contractors, and individuals to engage in this community work and enact lasting change.
     

How can you help?

  • Volunteer to sign up for a work day or share personal and business connections.

  • Donate to help pay for materials.

  • Donate materials through our Amazon Wishlist.

7. Special events

What is it?

  • In addition to regularly scheduled events, we also have one-time drives to help the community with specific issues.


For example?

  • Christmas donations: donate to help the children of Watts feel loved with wonderful gifts.


  • Bicycle drive: in 2023, we made a commitment to buying every child of the Grape Street neighborhood a bike and helmet. Through community and business contributions, we did it!


  • Microwave drive: the easiest way to ensure that families have a hot meal is to provide them with a microwave. Many families do not have a stove or microwave, so this is key! We were able to deliver several truckloads of microwaves!


  • Sports equipment: sports are key to kids making friends, having fun, and it’s proven that kids who play sports are more likely to have a higher GPA. Since our playground is an asphalt surface, we always need replacements.

 

How can you help?

  • Donate to help keep all medical fees free for the Watts community.

  • Buy from our Amazon wishlist to send sports equipment directly to us.
    Subscribe to our newsletter to be updated on special events.

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