Miriam's makes a difference in many people's life. I've seen and heard how grateful Miriam's guests have been for over 14 years as a volunteer. Staff and volunteers are terrific!!
Waking up before dawn to cook a scratch made healthy meal for people who might not have eaten since their last meal at Miriam's Kitchen. MK is a place that treats everybody with dignity and respect. The greatest reward is knowing that you've made a positive impact in somebody's life by offering a healthy and delicious meal to start the day. Sometimes a good meal among friends is where discovery and recovery happens. Everyone is welcome at Miriam's Kitchen.
Waking up before dawn for my breakfast shift at Miriam’s Kitchen I sometimes ask myself: “Why am I doing this?” As I roll out of bed and before my feet hit the floor, I remember: “Because I love it!” Miriam’s Kitchen is a community created through acceptance, respect and compassion. The services provided are extraordinary, from advocacy, art therapy, writing workshops, case management and legal and medical assistance to a delicious healthy homemade meal.
Miriam's Kitchen isn't a soup kitchen--it's a super kitchen. The services provided exceed serving nutritious meals. From case management to advocacy, Miriam's Kitchen has a major impact on the lives of the clients it serves. It's a safe haven, a yoga studio, a cafe, an art gallery, and a community for volunteers and clients alike. As a volunteer, I came to love the clients and the staff and see everyone as a team that works together to take care of each other.
I've been a volunteer for 10+ years and it is one of the most well run organizations where I have volunteered The Board of Directors (I served 4 years) is intimately involved, highly qualified, and take a personal interest in Miriams success. The kitchen, in ten years, has grown from powerded eggs and milk and canned fruit to wholly nutritious fresh food. The Executive Chef is extremely well qualified and has hired an assistant to run Miriams new dinner program. He does amazing things with donations of fresh vegetables and other staples. The entire staff is involved in "Bowls" the major fund raiser for Miriams. All of the food for the event is designed, prepared, and served by volunteers. The baking component is headed by a well known pastry chef, who teaches cake baking. When you have a waiting list of volunteers that says a lot about the reputation of Miriams, since volunteers once there tend to remain. The volunteers and staff have reached out to the business community for donations of food that would otherwise be dumped. Some are Costco, Trader Joe's, Georgetown Cupcakes, International Gourmet, Uptown Bakers, the White House Garden, and farmer's markets. Miriams' reputation draws media attention and a working visit by the First Lady, Michelle Obama. Not only is food served, but compassion is high on the list. The case workers counsel clients on a wide range of issues, from substance abuse, to filling out a resume, and finding housing. The Art Therapy and Writing Programs have produced art that has been hung in many locations throughout DC and the writing program has produced poetry that has been published. This is a superb organization.
Miriam's is really a community - both for the guests we serve, as well as among the volunteers. Sometimes I show up for my breakfast shift feeling really sleeped-deprived...but it only takes a few moments for me to see all the friendly faces and feel energized! Really gets my day off on a bright note!
Review from Guidestar