Mutual Aid

What is Mutual Aid?

Mutual aid is a form of collective organizing that meets the needs of a community through direct action. In doing so, we establish alternative networks of support without barriers to access or a discriminatory hierarchy. Mutual aid programs can take the form of resource distribution, skill or tool sharing, transportation assistance, community watch groups, temporary housing, allocation of funds for legal and healthcare bills, or any other service needed by a community.

Bozeman DSA’s Mutual Aid Program

We began distributing free food in 2025 as a response to the federal government’s gutting of SNAP benefits. Since then, our mutual aid program has evolved into a highly organized group of dedicated volunteers who believe that no one should go hungry, especially when a third of the food produced in the United States goes to waste. To help mitigate food waste in Bozeman, most of what we distribute is rescued from grocery stores, restaurants, and local farms where it would have otherwise been sent to the landfill or composted.

We serve hot meals, fresh coffee, and an assortment of groceries every Sunday in front of the public library from 10 am to noon. Stop by for a bite!

Solidarity Not Charity!

When we take collective responsibility for the needs of our community, we build solidarity. When we ignore those needs and leave it to our government or charity organizations to provide assistance, people get left behind and solidarity diminishes.

Mutual Aid	Charity
Assistance is available to everyone Support is organized by and for the people who need it Networks of volunteers organize their own assistance Takes direct action against the injustices of the current system	Imposes ‘eligibility requirements’ on those seeking assistance, gatekeeping access to support Serves as a tax shelter for the rich Staffed by career professionals who work as ‘saviors’ Maintains the status quo of unjust societies

Want to get involved? You don’t need to be a member!

Reach out to us at bozemanDSA@gmail.com or come chat with us in person for more details!