Mutual Aid In Action: An Interview With Punks Giving
By Staff | January 26, 2026
Redlands, CA Punks Giving Show and Distribution - 2022
Established in 2020 amidst a global pandemic, Punks Giving is an organization rooted in the belief that the punk mindset is a catalyst for shattering the status quo and creating tangible social change. Originally founded to unite the resources of the punk and hardcore communities, the organization merged with Punk Rock Saves Lives in 2023 to further its mission of "Positively Positive" living. While its partner organization focuses on mental health and bone marrow registries, Punks Giving handles direct community impact, coordinating distributions of food, clothing, hygiene products, and toys to those in need. By championing core values of compassion, community, and respect, they empower individuals to give their time and talents to build a future where the punk scene is synonymous with radical, grassroots generosity.
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Welcome. First of all, thanks for doing the work you're doing. What draws you to the punk and hardcore community as a vehicle for social change, and how do you embody those values in your own life?
xJAREDx: Thank you, and I appreciate the opportunity to share. I was lucky enough to have an older brother that got me into punk rock and hardcore in the mid 90’s during my early teenage years. In those early years, I remember going to shows and there would be a table or booth with literature from Food Not Bombs, Anti-Racist Action, and Animal Liberation groups among others. That, and the DIY ethos of the punk rock scene, guided me in my formidable years and quite literately shaped my character and who I am today. So to answer the question more directly, punk rock, hardcore, ska and the “underground music” scene in general has always been a vehicle for grass roots social change as far back as I can remember and even farther than that.
Denver, CO Punks Giving Distribution Prep - 2024
Punks Giving's mantra is 'YOU ARE PUNKS GIVING.' How do you interpret the responsibility of the individual in a collective movement like this?
I wouldn’t say responsibility per se, but more of an opportunity for each individual to make a compounded impact. I’ve shared the ripple analogy as an example of this in the past and I’ll expound upon it a little beyond that. But if each of us were able to do just a little for our family and neighbors that ripples out into our individual communities, towns and cities. Then outward more into states, territories, countries and the world. I know some people may have a hard time seeing that effect if they are “just one” and can barely keep their head above water. Trust me, I know this all too well. We always say, “bettering yourself, benefits the world”. As a result “Bettering Yourself” with educational and professional resources to improve your individual life was one of the 3 founding “Chords” of Punks Giving. Since the merger with Punk Rock Saves Lives that piece has been developed into its own organization called Punk Rock Academy (punkrockacademy.org).
Once the individual is on stable ground for themselves they then have the ability to “Give”. Give of their time, give of their talents, give of their resources to help those in need. And at the founding of Punks Giving, I never wanted it to be about “me”. I wanted it to be about “us”. One reason is I felt that I could not make a decent impact alone, but we could. And in those early years of Punks Giving I really saw that come alive with other individuals and organizations, punks and not punks, working together for the collective good. So how do I interpret the responsibility of the individual in the mantra “You are Punks Giving”? Simply putting it, Punks Giving is more than an organization, it is a movement, it is a mindset where the individual (punk rocker or not) has the ability to start or maintain the ripple of positive change just by helping others around them, even without the fanfare, scene cred, or social media praise.
What experience do you have with direct community impact, such as organizing drives for food, clothing, or hygiene products?
Even before forming Punks Giving, I have had the pleasure in volunteering with other organizations such as food banks, mutual aid groups, and churches in coordinating food and clothing drives, toy drives, packaging food resource boxes and community improvement projects. Since forming Punks Giving, we have been able to coordinate drives and distributions of clothing, shelter amenities, turkeys, Thanksgiving non-perishables, school supplies, period supplies, toys and more in 6 different states for many different individuals and organizations.
Punks Giving Direct Distribution - School Supplies and Clothes - 2021
If you were planning a last-minute distribution event for shelter amenities, what would be your first three steps to ensure it runs smoothly?
Identify the specific need and timeline: Speak with the individuals or organization it would benefit to find out the exact need and when it is needed to be distributed. For example, in coordinating with a mutual aid request in California we were able to provide blankets, winter gloves and ponchos based on the specific need at the time.
Reach out via connections or social media channels to help coordinate efforts. Coordinating efforts could be creating an Amazon wish list for those specific items needed, rallying a quick fundraising effort or coordinating for volunteers for the physical drive and distribution.
Distribute. Again, whether you are distributing directly or coordinating with other individuals or groups, just make sure it is being distributed in a timely manner and with respect.
How would you approach building a relationship with a local business or another non-profit to coordinate a joint resource drive?
When coordinating efforts with others organizations or groups, I always approach it in an honest expression of humility and appreciation. Usually those that I have approached, whether it is a business or non-profit group, many times they already have established goals, missions, infrastructure, partnerships and outreach. So identifying those things is an important part of choosing to build a relationship or coordinate a drive or distribution. As a result I usually reach out expressing the desire for Punks Giving to assist with a certain aspect of their mission or initiative. Some have been open and appreciative of the outreach and connection, while others (even in the mutual aid and non-profit space and even bands for that matter) seem to be apprehensive like you are trying to usurp their power or something. When that happens I typically go out of my way to show them that is not the case and volunteer directly and give of my time, talents and resources to their cause or for their benefit to show that there is no underlying reason besides trying to coordinate efforts to make a larger impact.
Same thing with local business. Local business generally care more about the local community and its people much more than larger businesses, groups or corporations. But it is follows the same path of identifying the right local business and the corresponding need. In addition, many small businesses have assisted in toy or food drives in the past so approaching them with something that is familiar and goes directly to the local community seems to help alleviate any apprehension. Large corporations always look at “what’s in it for us” and “will it be big enough for PR purposes”. But even then, having a friend or a personal connection that is an old punk rocker that works in an influential part of the corporation seems to be the key for that.
Dishevel, Jared’s first band - 2000
Resource distribution often requires quick thinking. Can you tell us about a time you had to pivot a plan under pressure?
Unfortunately it happens more often than not. An example was last year’s signature Punks Giving distributions in the fall. Pretty much everything that we were planning fell though. Even the distribution that actually did take place only got confirmed a week and a half before the proposed date in a different state 500 miles away. So yes it was a scramble not only to gather all the items for the distribution, coordinate volunteers, and trying to get the word out to let the local people know where and when the distribution was taking place. I hate to say it, it is the fear of failure, or more specifically “failure is not an option” mentality that allows me to pivot and figure things out under pressure.
How would you encourage someone who feels they have nothing to give to contribute their time or talents to the cause?
I would say “I was just like you actually”. I never want to put anyone under obligation, but really the smallest thing; a smile, helping a neighbor, helping a stranger with something, talking openly and really just listening to others is all it takes. Doing something just to make a positive change really is what Punks Giving is all about.
Rob Rushing at Punk Rock Save Lives 2024 - Redlands, California Punks Giving Show and Distribution
The punk scene is diverse and global. How would you ensure our outreach efforts are inclusive and reaching marginalized populations within the community?
There are actually 2 divergent ways to look at it and I actually struggle with whether I am perceiving it in the right way and helping the “right people” at the right time. The first way of looking at it is from the outside, judging their need and circumstance based solely on what they look like, their clothes, where they live or how they live, etc. The other is by talking with individuals and communities to really understand the need and the outreach. Sometimes what you feel they need is not what they need nor want.
So it is a wonderful thing that there are so many diverse organizations, groups and initiatives that meet people where they are including harm reduction resources and groups, recovery organizations and groups, shelters, mutual-aid groups, food pantries and community refrigerators, hot meal and grocery distribution, mental health initiatives and resources, emergency and housing recover organizations, community improvement projects and so much more. And the best part is that in each of those categories many were founded or run by punk rockers, hardcore kids and others in the music scene.
What are some creative ways we could use live music events or festivals to facilitate resource collection without disrupting the fan experience?
I would say that is actually not a new concept and has been going on since I’ve been going to shows. Food Not Bombs did canned food drives pretty regularly at shows when I was a teenager. Sometimes it was billed as certain dollar donation for entry or free entry with canned goods. In fact the foundations of Punks Giving actually stemmed from a benefit show for WHOA (Working Class & Houseless Organizing Alliance) in Greensboro, NC in 2020 that my band played before the pandemic shut everything down. That event specifically collected bottled water and fundraising for WHOA. So in addition to bringing cases of water for the drive, I was on stage promoting and advocating for their organization even to the point of matching donations and making a donation if someone bought my band’s merch.
So some creative ways could be for bands that use sock puppets in their set (yes I can name a few) do a sock drive to benefit a local shelter or distribute via direct or mutual aid efforts to those on the streets. The obvious holiday toy drive shows that happens pretty regularly around the December holiday season. The independent Punksgiving shows that happen around Thanksgiving in the US and Canada that collect non-perishables for local food banks or pantries. A coat or clothing drive at a burlesque show even. Often times, members of a band may be a part of an organization or have been affected personally by something such as cancer, homelessness, overdoses and the like, that a simple benefit show to raise funds and awareness is a way to facilitate resources for that cause.
I haven’t been to a show where that has been a disruption. I do know some people don’t want to be preached to and just came for the music. So there is always that. But if the expectation is there from the beginning and it is billed as a drive or a benefit show it shouldn’t be a disruption at all.
Redlands, CA Punks Giving Show and Distribution - 2024
Since merging with Punk Rock Saves Lives, the organization's reach has expanded. How do you see the Punks Giving program evolving over the next two years?
Yes, definitely since the merger we have been able to reach more people to get the word out as well as to more than we have in the past. As Punks Giving is now a program under Punk Rock Saves Lives we are encouraging the local PRSL Chapters and area leads to coordinate direct community impact events under the Punks Giving initiative. So within the next two years I see the Punks Giving initiative and movement growing and evolving into many small segments impacting a wider and greater reach throughout the year than we have in past.
What is one unconventional resource or service you think the punk community is uniquely positioned to provide to those in need?
Harm reduction resource definitely. I know to some that might not seem like a resource to help those “in need”, but that is what makes it unconventional. I have seen and heard more stories of Narcan, test strips and “not using alone” that has literally saved more people than any other resource we’ve been able to provide. And yes it is definitely a need in and out of the music scene. And the punk community has more of an openness than even the general public to that.
You Are Punks Giving Collage, featured in the 2023 Punks Giving Compilation “You Are Punks Giving”
How do you measure the success of a community drive beyond just the volume of items collected?
Just doing it really. I know that might sound a little anti-climactic especially when other groups and organization post and promote their large impact numbers And sometimes it seems like you never did enough. But truly it is the desire and the actual act of doing, that is how I measure success. Sometimes the numbers and impacts are big and sometimes they are pittance of what others expect. To those I quote the lyrics from Minor Threat’s song In My Eyes: “You tell me that I make no difference. At least I'm fucking trying. What the fuck have you done?”
Anyone you'd like to thank?
I definitely want to thank you guys at knifetwister records for allowing this opportunity and the band We Might Die out of Vegas that donated a song to last year’s fundraising compilation that basically helped in this connection. In addition are so many that deserve thanks and I know I can’t thank everyone individually here and I hope I have expressed my appreciation to them directly as I definitely recognized the many people and organizations that have helped Punks Giving be what it is today. But I do want to thank the Punks Giving founding board members including Stephen Frenzel, Monica Tanner, and Gary Menard who had recently passed away in October of last year. And I want to thank Rob and Tina Rushing of Punk Rock Saves Lives for the current opportunities that I, as well as Punks Giving as a whole, have been a part of and their willingness and desire to bring me and Punks Giving into their organization. Again there are many that I hope know my appreciation whether or not it is noted here.
Official website: https://punksgiving.org | info@punksgiving.org
Punk Rock Saves Lives: punkrocksaveslives.org | tina@punkrocksaveslives.org
Punk Rock Academy: https://punkrockacademy.org | e-mail via contact form on website