October 20, 2025 Newsletter

Hi everyone,

There's a new page on the website now: a calendar of events! I'll still plan to send event information in the newsletters the first time I hear about them, but then they'll also live on the calendar so you can find them anytime.

If you have events you'd like me to include on the calendar, please email with all of the details, and I'll make sure to get them added.

Thanks!
Katie

Federal Shutdown Food Assistance in the District

With federal workers and contractors across our community now having gone almost two weeks without a paycheck due to the government shutdown, The Capital Area Food Bank is getting ready to respond to increased need. Data and experience tell us that this is around the time when many families facing a loss of income will be forced to start making hard choices.  As negotiations in Congress still appear to be moving slowly, we are currently planning to move forward with special supplemental distributions to assist federal workers and contractors. They will begin the week of October 20th and continue until the shutdown ends.

Distributions will be held at locations throughout our existing partner network (3 in MD, 1 in VA, and 1 in DC). At each site, we will be providing 150 boxes of shelf stable goods and an equivalent number of boxes of produce. Depending on traffic, we will scale up the following week if the shutdown is still ongoing. To receive food, visitors will need to show a government work ID.

Tails & Tailgate with The Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) and Jacob Martin #55 with the Washington Commanders

Washington Commanders star defensive end, Jacob Martin, is teaming up with the Humane Rescue Alliance (HRA) to host a family-friendly Tails & Tailgate on Tuesday, October 21st at the HRA shelter. Martin’s mission is simple: fill the HRA with donations—food, toys, and funds—to support their life-saving work for animals in the DC community. 

Fans and families can expect game day energy brought by local sponsors, delicious tailgate-style treats, raffle prizes, signed Commanders merchandise, adoptable dogs, music, and special appearances from the Washington Commanders Cheerleaders and Major Tuddy. 

WHEN: Tuesday, October 21 from 4:00 - 6:30pm 
WHERE: Humane Rescue Alliance, 71 Oglethorpe St NW, Washington, DC 20011 

RFK Stadium and Campus Redevelopment Community Meeting 

The Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) invites you to a public meeting on Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM to hear updates on the future of RFK Stadium and campus redevelopment following the enactment of the Robert F. Kennedy Campus Redevelopment Act of 2025. Representatives from the Office of Planning, Department of Transportation, Department of Energy and Environment, and the Washington Commanders will be in attendance.

When:  Wednesday, October 22, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Where: St. Coletta of Greater Washington, 1901 Independence Ave SE

Community feedback will be requested during the public meeting to assist the planning process of the RFK Campus redevelopment.

To request language assistance or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please complete this form at least 5 days before the event. If you have any questions, contact the Office of Planning at op.access@dc.gov or 202-442-7600. 

If you aren't able to participate in person, please visit https://ourrfk.dc.gov to learn more about this transformational project.

Fix-It DC Community Repair Event at Lederer Gardens

Fix-it DC will be at the Lederer Gardens Pavilion on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 11am-1pm. This free outdoor event is your opportunity to bring some larger items in need of repair. Coaches will assist in disassembling and troubleshooting how to repair your item. Chose one of two time slots to register!

To learn more about the Fix-It DC Program, visit https://doee.dc.gov/service/fix-it-dc.

Need Language or ADA Assistance? If you have any questions or require ADA accessibility assistance contact Ida at (202) 834-0557.

Este documento contiene información importante. Si necesita ayuda en Español o si tiene alguna pregunta sobre este aviso, por favor llame al (202) 834-0557. Infórmele al representante de atención al cliente el idioma que habla para que le proporcione un intérprete sin costo para usted. Gracias.

Your Home, Your Timeline – Explore More Ways to Replace Your Lead Service Line

We know many homeowners want more flexibility over when and how their lead service lines are replaced. While many may be familiar with our free replacement programs, some may not know they can initiate the process themselves, when they want, and if they qualify at no cost to them.

As a valued partner supporting DC Water’s Lead Free DC (LFDC) initiative, we’ll walk you through the process and how residents can take an active role in their lead service line replacement to reach our shared goal: Replacing all lead service lines to ensure safe, reliable water for current and future generations.

Depending on the program, the cost of a replacement initiated by a property owner may be fully covered by DC Water and the District or partially paid by the homeowner. In the process, homeowners get more flexibility around scheduling and contractor selection.

We invite you to learn more at our next LFDC Virtual Community Meeting: Your Home, Your Timeline – Explore More Ways to Replace Your Lead Service Line. With your help, we can spread the word and reach communities across the District.

During the meeting, you’ll hear program updates, learn how to engage with LFDC, and have the opportunity to ask questions and share feedback. 

MEETING DETAILS: 

LFDC Program Update 
How to engage with the program
Featured topic: Initiating your own lead service line replacement 

When:  Wednesday, October 22, 6pm to 7pm 
Where: http://bit.ly/leadfreedcmeeting  
Join by phone: +1 202-753-6714, Phone Conference ID #: 270 406 927#
Can’t make it live? No problem! The meeting will be recorded and available on DC Water’s YouTube channel.

DC DPW’s Special Waste Collection Event

Eventbrite registration will open soon for the following events:

• Saturday, November 29, 2025, at RFK Parking Lot 8 (2500 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003)
• Thursday, December 4, 2025, at RFK Parking Lot 8 (2500 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003)
• Thursday, February 5, 2026, at RFK Parking Lot 8 (2500 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003)
• Saturday, March 14, 2026, at RFK Parking Lot 8 (2500 Independence Ave SE, Washington, DC 20003)
• Thursday, April 23, 2026
• Saturday, May 2, 2026
• Thursday, August 27, 2026
• Saturday, September 12, 2026

REGISTER IN ADVANCE TO PARTICIPATE:

 To accommodate everyone in a safe and timely manner, DPW is now requiring registration to participate in the Special Waste Collection Events. District residents can sign up for a 15-minute entry slot when residents can arrive anytime in the 15-minute period and a DPW staff member will be there is assist you. Please note that the time selected is the arrival window, not the time of services. Only one ticket is required per vehicle. No entry will be allowed after 2:00 pm. Open to DC residents only. Please bring proof of residency (e.g. driver's license, utility bill, lease agreement) and Eventbrite registration. No commercial waste will be allowed. Register here.   

Trunk or Treat with Events DC

RFK Lot 6
575 Oklahoma Ave NE
Friday, October 31
6-8 PM