Water Drops

training video, process, and FAQ

Every Sunday, we provide water to the community members of Skid Row. Learn more about the process here!

Volunteer Training Video

General Process for Water Drops

  1. Signing up and choosing a date

Multiple dates for Water Drops are open for sign-ups. Water Drops start at 11am and end at 2pm. Volunteers may specify a preference for what role and route they would like to be on, but these preferences may not be guaranteed.

2. Choosing a role

Volunteers fulfill two main roles during Water Drops: route and truck.

Route: Volunteers on route drive in cars and pass out water through an assigned route in Skid Row. If you specify that you have a car, you will most likely be assigned as a driver on a route. If you don’t have a car, you may either be assigned as a passenger in someone else’s car or as a worker at the truck.

Truck: In addition to delivering water to the streets of Skid Row, we set up a truck filled with water and other donations at Catch 21 to allow community members to come to us. Here, we have two separate tables we set up: one for water and one for other donations such as snacks and clothing. This is also where volunteers on a route will come to re-fill their cars. If you are not able or not willing to carry cases of water, you will be assigned to the truck’s donation table.

3. DROP DAY!

On the day of the Drop, we meet near USC at 11am. Volunteers sign in, learn about their assigned role, and get introduced to their partner(s) if placed on a route. It is also encouraged to take a free COVID test. Drivers will be guided inside the lot with their cars.

After signing in, cars are loaded with water and other donations. Additional time is spent sorting through clothes, prepping zines, and more.

After cars have been loaded, everyone is gathered together and a brief about procedures, safety, and more is given. Narcan training is also provided after the brief.

Once finished, those on a route drive directly from the lot at USC to their assigned streets within Skid Row and start passing out water. Those assigned to the truck will gather at the truck and plan transportation to Catch 21. If you don’t have a car, you can be driven to the location by someone else.

4. Finishing the Drop

Those on a route will check out with a checkout person. Those who finish early may provide support to other routes.

If you wish to get more involved, join the Slack channel that is sent in the GroupMe after every drop and attend our weekly Zoom meetings on Monday!