MK Fall 2025 Newsletter - KW V4 crop marks and bleed - CMYK (1) by miriamskitchendc

DEAR FRIENDS,

Although we have faced difficult times this year, we at Miriam’s Kitchen (MK) remain hopeful and grateful. Thanks to your unwavering support, our recent Celebration was a success, inspiring our team and uplifting our community in Washington, D.C.

Over the past few months, we have continued to advance our Health Initiatives. Thanks to your support, our new patient navigation program connects people experiencing homelessness to health care, many for the first time in years. Our team walks with them every step of the way, from scheduling to sitting beside them in the exam room.

With great excitement, we are now preparing to open the doors of our new Bridge Housing—a safe, welcoming, housing-focused space where guests can stay while we help them pursue permanent keys and a new start. This milestone reflects our collective resilience and Stay tuned for more information.

Thank you for standing with us.

Sincerely, Scott Schenkelberg

ADVOCACY SNAPSHOT

It’s been a busy and productive time for the Advocacy team! This spring and summer, we have been hard at work Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to:

Mobilizing our partners and community leaders through The Way Home Campaign to influence the DC budget and ensure the Mayor and DC Council prioritize funding to end chronic homelessness

Engaging in federal advocacy to combat local and national threats to progress to end homelessness, as well as DC’s autonomy

In May we also welcomed a new team member: Advocacy

ALL ARE WELCOME AT MK

A Note from Silvana Quiroz, Communications Director

When it comes to serving our neighbors, Miriam’s Kitchen (MK) is more than a meal it’s a place of belonging Case managers like Isabelle Ruiz de Luzuriaga don’t wait for someone to become a “guest” before they step in; they respond to needs wherever they are That was the case for Tony Burns After moving into an apartment that jeopardized his health, Isabelle and our team ensured he received intensive support from coordinating doctor’s visits to finding a safer home environment where he could truly thrive

Tony Burns is a native Washingtonian whose advocacy began in 2009 He is a founding mentor with Whitman Walker Health’s More Than Plus One Peer Mentor Program, co chairs George Washington University’s LGBTQ Community Advisory Board, and sits on both the MK’s Speakers’ Bureau and Guest Advisory Board. Tony also lends his expertise as a trustee of the IF Foundation and continues to broaden his advocacy from his early focus on HIV/AIDS to championing housing and health care access for all

“I’ve been managing HIV for 35 years. When your home isn’t safe, health care can feel out of reach. But the Miriam’s Kitchen team got to know me, understood my needs, and helped me reclaim my place in the community.”

— Tony Burns

Tony’s story reminds us that everyone who walks through our doors, regardless of background or circumstance, is welcome here Whether someone needs a hot meal, a listening ear, a medical referral, or safe housing, our mission is to provide the support that turns vulnerability into opportunity. Thank you for embracing everyone as part of our community

“The smile says it all. Because of you, our guests no longer face the complicated health care system alone. Our navigators walk with them offering support, advocacy, and a path forward to health and hope.”

At MK, we know that health and housing go hand-in-hand Our Health Initiatives program connects guests many facing chronic illness and limited access to care with the support they need.

Patient Navigation Hours

Tuesdays: 7:00 am – 9:00 am Wednesdays: 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Learn more:

www.miriamskitchen.org/mk-health

Our Guest, Victor, with Morgan Taylor, Patient Navigation Coordinator

Have questions? Need help setting up your fundraiser or registering for the event? Please contact Abby Maraya, at abby.maraya@miriamskitchen.org

Introducing MK Chefs’ Table: An Evening of Creativity and Impact.

We’re thrilled to announce a brand-new fundraising event to support MK’s meals program! On September 27, 2025 at 6:30 pm, join us for MK Chefs’ Table an intimate, elevated dining experience in the transformed MK Dining Room

Be part of our mission to end chronic homelessness with three impactful events: Chefs’ Table | Sept 27, 2025: Savor a multi-course dinner created by MK’s top chefs. Every ticket supports our advocacy, housing, and health programs

Run 4 MK | Nov. 15, 2025: Lace up for our 5K & fun run. Your registration fuels meal services, patient navigation, and Bridge

Housing resources. Hunger & Homelessness

Awareness Week | Nov 17–23, 2025: Engage in panel talks, “Serve & Learn” volunteer shifts, and online actions to spotlight and combat hunger and homelessness

Learn More & Register

Visit www.miriamskitchen.org/events for details and new listings We look forward to seeing you there!

This special evening will celebrate the creativity of our talented chefs as they share how they plan and prepare the 250–500 meals we serve daily Guests will hear directly from the chefs about what inspires their menus and how they rise to the challenge of nourishing our community each week, while enjoying a special menu with items created by our amazing chefs

Seating is limited don’t miss an unforgettable night of fine dining for a powerful cause! Tickets now available.

Scan the QR code for tickets and more information.

CHEFS’ TABLE

FROM OUR KITCHEN TO YOURS: A SIGNATURE MK DISH

Adapted for Miriam’s Kitchen by Chef Estela, produces 4 servings

Pork Chops in Creamy Mushroom Sauce

INGREDIENTS

4 pork chops, bone in or boneless, about 1/2" thick

¾ tsp salt, or to taste

¼ tsp black pepper, or to taste

½ tsp paprika, or to taste

3 Tbsp unsalted butter, divided

2 tsp olive oil

8 oz mushrooms (white, brown, shitake), sliced

½ medium onion, finely chopped

1/2 red pepper, julienned

½ green pepper, julienned

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp flour

1 tsp hot sauce

1 1/2 cups chicken broth

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream

1 Tbsp parsley, optional garnish

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS

1 Season pork chops with salt, pepper

RECIPE TO SUPPORT OUR NEIGHBORS

1 Join our monthly giving community: The MK Club. The MK Club is essential to our work Monthly gifts fill in any funding gaps that may arise, help us pivot when the environment changes, and make longterm investments in our mission with confidence. Your $25 monthly contribution can provide gift cards for newly housed residents to purchase home essentials like pots, pans, and toiletries

Heat 1 Tbsp butter and 2 tsp oil in a large pan ove med./high heat. Once hot, sear chops 3 side until golden brown Remove pork chops from pan and cover to keep warm.

2 In the same pan, add 1 Tbsp butter and sliced mushrooms. Cook 2 minutes over medium heat, or until lightly golden.

3. Add 1 Tbsp butter, red and green peppers and onions. Lightly season with salt and pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes, until peppers and onions are tender

4 Add minced garlic and sauté 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Add flour and stir vigorously for 30 seconds.

2 Donate a gift of appreciated stock. This option allows you to avoid capital gains tax.

3 If you are 70 1/2 or over, you can make a gift to Miriam's Kitchen directly from your IRA –satisfying part or all of your required minimum distribution (RMD) for the year – with no tax due on the distribution

4 Create your legacy. If you want to leave your mark by creating a more equitable future where every person has a safe place to call home, please consider:

Naming Miriam's Kitchen as a beneficiary. We can be added to your retirement plan, donor-advised fund, life insurance policy, bank account, IRA, etc

Making a gift to Miriam's Kitchen in your will or trust.

Estela Flores, Sous Chef

VOLUNTEER AND DONOR SPOTLIGHT

Tracy Scarrow, Katy Burns, and Allie Hammond are volunteer Kitchen Sous Chefs for breakfast, which means they have extra responsibilities They arrive early, volunteer frequently, and take on a leadership role in the kitchen. This spring, Chef Marcus asked them to do EVEN MORE – and without hesitation, they all said, “Yes, Chef!”

For ten weeks, while Chef Marcus was on sabbatical, Tracy, Katy, and Allie served as Breakfast Leads, running the entire breakfast shift on their own. For Katy, arriving at 4:30 a.m. required setting four alarm clocks Knowing everyone was counting on her, Tracy confessed she often didn’t sleep the night before because she was worried she wouldn’t wake up. All three enjoyed that extra hour alone in the dark kitchen – running around to prepare for their shift As the sun rose, they liked seeing all the volunteers roll in and join in the work They wholeheartedly agreed that having a great team of kitchen and dining room sous chefs was integral to their success leading the shift. There were a few bumps along the way (like forgetting to turn on the oven!), but it all worked out and guests were served a terrific meal

Tracy, Katy, and Allie are also long-time donors to MK When asked why they give not only their time, but also their dime, they all said it was an easy decision. Being in the kitchen regularly, they could see the needs of our guests and also that MK is well-run Allie saw firsthand the need for more coffee and was able to bring in additional coffee donations. Tracy is fully committed to donating at the place where she volunteers She especially likes learning about the specific needs in the kitchen and seeing that her support has an immediate and tangible result. Katy’s giving increased as she witnessed how hard the kitchen team works to stretch every dollar For each of them, MK’s growth over the years has only solidified their support as they embrace MK’s mission.

For the trio, it’s the community in the dining room that drew them in and also what keeps them coming back. Katy shared, “I moved to Chicago for a while and couldn’t find another place to volunteer Miriam’s is one of the reasons I came back to DC I really missed the spirit, the energy, and the community.” The unique and special community at MK is what inspired them to step up and do more as volunteers It inspires them to give And they hope that more people will join them as volunteers and as faithful supporters of MK. “It takes a village,” said Tracy “Come join us!”