The District of Columbia Water and Sewer Authority (DC Water) and the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) will kick off the 10th Annual Bread for the Soul Holiday Drive Monday, November 28, 2011. For a decade, employees from both agencies have donated over $40,000 for food and gifts for more than 1,000 District families affected by HIV and AIDS.

“The holiday season can be extremely difficult when you are experiencing financial hardships,” said DC Water General Manager George S. Hawkins. “To help brighten the holiday of many District families affected by HIV and AIDS, DC Water’s Team Blue members are donating their time and resources to support Bread for the Soul. Compared to last year, we know that there are many more families that need our help. We plan to increase our efforts to help even more families this year.”

From now through December 14, DC Water and DPW employees will be collecting toys, books and cash donations. Collection bins for gifts will be placed in designated locations at all DC Water and DPW facilities. Citizens may also bring new, unwrapped toys and books to the Martin Luther King, Jr. Library at 901 G Street, NW. All food baskets and gifts will be delivered to the families on Saturday, December 17, 2011.

“It’s important for each of us to make a contribution,” said DPW Director William O. Howland, Jr., who helps deliver meals to families participating in the drive each year. “Whether it’s donating a few dollars for food, a book or a toy, a couple of hours to organize the baskets, or just one hour to deliver the baskets to the families—it’s important that we all participate in the process of passing our blessings on to others. DPW will continue to support this effort as best we can so that we can provide assistance to those families who need it most."

Bread for the Soul is a local nonprofit organization that delivers food baskets, books, toys and cash donations, during the holiday season, to families affected by HIV and AIDS. Last year, DC Water and DPW employees donated nearly $10,000 and provided gift baskets for more than 200 families.

For more information, contact DC Water at (202) 787-2200 or DPW at (202) 673-6812.