According to the city’s annual point-in-time count, homelessness in DC has increased by a significant 18% since the start of the pandemic. This has happened alongside reduced government benefits, a significant increase in the cost of living, and a rise in food insecurity – disproportionately experienced by people living in food deserts where healthy food is scarce, or costly, or both. All are compounding problems that underlie ongoing concerns about public safety. Historically, local nonprofits have stepped in where government has stepped out, but high demand and inadequate funding add stress to a sector that is also struggling with staff shortages. With the help of ordinary people who have stepped up in extraordinary ways, nonprofits continue to shine, supporting hundreds of newly arrived migrants after Title 42 ended (it had blocked their entry into the US), and expanding access to safe abortions when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Collaboration has been key: none of us can act alone, especially now, and local nonprofits on the front lines need all of us working together.