At this point, if you're interested in helping out the people most affected by the Eastern Market fire, there are a few different ways you can do so. This post will hopefully make some sense of the differences between them; we'll link this post into the sidebar on the left, and intend to update the post as other options arise and as other changes occur.
The Capitol Hill Community Foundation is accepting donations specifically to assist the vendors who operated inside the South Hall (the building which was most affected by the fire). The CHCF is a 501(c)3 organization, and as such, all donations are tax deductible; you can contribute by going to their contributions page, and should specify “Eastern Market: Keep It Going” on the designation line of the contribution form.
Tom Rall, the owner and manager of the Flea Market at Eastern Market, has organized the Eastern Market Exhibitor Relief Fund which is targeted towards the outdoors exhibitors who rely on weekend business at the Market. Donations are made through PayPal, and do not appear to be tax deductible at this time.
Are you interested in goods that support the Market rebuilding effort?
Linsey Silver, Capitol Hill resident and the graphic designer behind Element 47 Design, designed a “Rebuild Eastern Market” T-shirt, and $14 of the $20 cost of the shirts will go to the CHCF relief fund. They will be available for online sale soon!
Students of the Peabody School-Within-School created a bunch of artwork related to Eastern Market as part of a school project, and notecards have been made from the art which are for sale to support the CHCF merchant relief fund. This is the same artwork that was displayed at the Market 5 Gallery for a few weeks, and from which a selection was made of images that will be hung in the restored South Hall. This is a great way to support the Market and get some neat community-designed notecards to use to spread the word!
Do you want to eat and drink your way to a rebuilt Eastern Market?
Organizers are currently putting together Dining Out for Eastern Market for May 21st -- go eat at a participating restaurant, and part of the proceeds from your meal will go to the CHCF relief fund for the Market merchants.
Christ Church is hosting a spaghetti dinner and silent auction to benefit Eastern Market; it will be held on Friday, June 1st at 7:00 PM, and tickets need to be purchased in advance.
Do you want to do fun things to support the Market?
DC United is donating $3 from each ticket to their May 26th game against Houston to the CHCF relief fund; as most people know, DC United's home field is RFK Stadium, which might be the easternmost member of the Capitol Hill community. So if you've been looking for the right reason to venture out to RFK and take in some soccer (¿fútbol?), head over to dcunited.com and pick up some tickets!
The Capitol Hill Chorale has committed to donating half of the proceeds from their concerts the first weekend in June to the CHCF fund. The chorale is an 80-voice ensemble that has been a part of the Capitol Hill community since 1993; they perform works ranging from the classics to popular songs, from folk to jazz, and these are the last performances of the season! The concerts are on June 2nd at 8 PM and on June 3rd at 4 PM, both will be held at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church (at 4th Street SE and Independence Avenue), and tickets cost $20 for general seating ($25 for preferred seating, and children under 12 are free).
Do you own a business that might be able to help?
Capitol Hill business owner Byron Buck is helping organize the Eastern Market Employment Initiative, which aims to recruit local businesses which are able to offer stable temporary employment to the displaced employees of Eastern Market merchants. If you own a business on or around Capitol Hill, and think you might be able to help, drop Byron an email at EMEmploymentNetwork@earthlink.net!