Going A Step Beyond

Workers preparing food at DC Central Kitchen.

Just about every major city (and some suburban areas) have soup kitchens, where volunteers provide meals to homeless people. But one man in Washington, DC, wondered whether the needs of the homeless were really being met.

Meet Robert Egger, the founder of DC CENTRAL KITCHEN. Thinking outside the box, he decided that a training program would be useful. So, his organization trains homeless people to cook properly and earn licenses as food handlers. Trainees work to prepare surplus and donated food into meals for homeless shelters and nonprofit groups.



As time went by, DC Central Kitchen grew. The organization now provides meals to 60 corner stores in low income neighborhoods and local schools, totaling more than 10,000 meals per day. Sixty percent of its income comes from food sale and approximately 80 people per year are trained in its culinary programs.

Volunteers are always welcome to join into the programming. The atmosphere is one of community - people from all walks of life working together for one purpose. As Robert Egger says, "This idea of everyone side by side - it's a powerful image. The President of the United States, someone from the shelter, a kid from Wilson High School - we're Washingtonians side by side. This is the power of community!"

Isn't community something we all need these days, especially in a city where divisive politics somehow rule the day?

Students learning the food prep business.

 NPR interviewed Mr. Egger and wrote about him and his program: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thesalt/2014/09/20/349859645/beyond-charity-turning-the-soup-kitchen-upside-down?utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=food&utm_medium=social&utm_term=nprnews

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