On Saturday, St. Stephen’s Church on Newton Street will transform into the Punk Rock Flea Market and Fundraiser. with more than 30 vendors selling everything from records to clothes to vegan snacks, all while supporting local non-profit We Are Family.

When: November 18th, 12-5pm at 1525 Newton St NW

Organizers Jen House and Ryan Zellman were both looking for ways to give back to their community when their paths crossed at a local music and clothing store. Jen organizes local markets and fundraiser, and Ryan has an online store and helps organize Damaged City Fest.

“DC hasn't had one in a while, but Punk Rock Flea Markets happen all over the country,” says co-organizer Jen House.

The flea market will benefit We Are Family (my favorite community organization in the District). We Are Family strives to bring people together across boundaries like age, race, class, sexual orientation, religion, culture and even language. They work to build community and amplify the voice of seniors all while providing essential services to those in need. With teams of dozens of volunteers, We Are Family organizes grocery deliveries and visits for more than 700 seniors in Petworth, Columbia Heights, Shaw, North Capitol Street and surrounding areas. Additionally, the organization provides the seniors with transportation to stores and appointments, emergency cleaning assistance, regular telephone assistance.

We Are Family has deep connections with DC’s infamous punk rock community. Mark Anderson, WAF co-founder and current co-director, was also a co-founder of the punk activist collective Positive Force DC. He’s also co-author of Dance of Days: Two Decades of Punk Rock in the Nation’s Capital.

“The original funding for the organization came from the band Good Charlotte via a donation to Positive Force,” Mark said. “DC punk luminaries like Ian MacKaye, Amy Farina, Dave Grohl and Ted Leo (among many others) have also been long-time supporters.”

Jen added, “It’s important to us to give back to our community and we are hoping to continue the Positive Force tradition of community events and outreach with our own spin on a Punk Rock Flea Market & Food Drive for We are Family.”

More Punk Rock Flea Market & Food Drive details are on the Petworth News Community Calendar.