MK 2023 Spring Newsletter

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dear mk community

As Miriam’s Kitchen approaches its 40th anniversary this Fall, I can t help but reca events that led us to this moment I imagine that when Miriam’s Kitchen was start October 1983, the compassionate volunteers – who got up early to make breakfa welcome people in off the streets – thought that this would be a temporary prob better systems were built to address the root causes

During that time, homelessness solutions were focused on addressing individual behaviors such as substance abuse and mental illness, instead of the “housing first” model that we utilize today The problem with focusing most resources on these interventions is that they didn’t address the root causes of homelessness, which include high housing costs and income inequality fueled by centuries of racial discrimination in housing and beyond. What we know now is that homelessness is a housing and systems problem. It is not about individual behaviors. However, we also know that folks who experience personal challenges rarely struggle to maintain housing if it is equitably accessible to them.

When housing becomes unaffordable for those who are underemployed, homelessness is far more likely. Rising housing costs – coupled with discriminatory and ineffective systems – create further risk factors. Homelessness becomes even more likely when there are precipitating events such as loss of work, physical disability, and loss of family.

The good news is that our systems are being redesigned to ensure housing justice In D C , this contributed to steady declines in homelessness during 2021 There has been a 22 1 percent decrease in chronic homelessness since 2021; and a 32 6 percent decrease since 2012

At Miriam’s Kitchen, we are spending our 40th anniversary embarking on strategic planning and advocacy work that will help us ensure that we don’t spend another 40 years ending homelessness; because we now know what we didn’t in 1983 – homelessness is a housing and systems problem You can help us in this work by continuing to be the kin supporter who has made it possible for us to achieve program and advocacy throughout our nation’s most worrisome time Whether it is through volunteer partnerships, or your donations, you have remained at the heart of what we d Kitchen for 40 years. We look forward to continuing to partner with you as we more equitable community where every person has a safe, permanent place

In service,

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quotes from guests & volunteers

"I started coming to MK in 1992 and back in the day, the menu was the same every week, with mac and cheese on Fridays Now, the meals are more nutritious, there’s more variety and it’s the best food in the city " – Gary

"You guys really live out that saying, 'Do unto others as you want others to do unto you ' MK doesn’t give second best, you give the good stuff." – Leon

"Chef Cheryl puts her heart into her food and you can taste it!" – Greg

"I am impressed by the way the leadership staff and volunteers at MK are willing to change and grow –it’s ongoing They’re always trying to improve services and activities and are open to ideas to make things better " – Queenie

"We have happily watched Miriam’s mission evolve from serving breakfast with USDA surplus food to hearty, high-quality breakfasts and dinner and more The addition of programs, like poetry and art, have allowed guests to express themselves Most important have been the expansion of social services to support our guests and the focus on moving guests into supportive permanent housing These efforts can only be successful when the staff and volunteers earn the trust of the guests "

and Pat Zickler, Volunteers for 40 years (They were at the first meal on the first day of MK)

"In terms of value, MK services are invaluable to not only our guests but to our community in general and the community of volunteers Our volunteers are learning such valuable lessons about caring for others, up close and personal and looking beyond our own needs This has a huge impact on those who volunteer as well as those in the community at large " – Susan Raskin, Volunteer for 15 years

"When I started volunteering in 1996, Miriam's Kitchen was largely a small feeding program for breakfasts only, with limited support for the guests' other needs. What I observed over the decades of volunteering in the kitchen was the evolution of MK from essentially a soup kitchen to a comprehensive social services organization dedicated to ending chronic homelessness by means of a housing-first strategy Under Scott's leadership, MK has become a learning organization, one with a clear sense of mission, a desire to assess its own effectiveness, and a willingness to move in different directions, expand services and advocacy, form partnerships with "competing" local organization that assist homeless persons, all to further the mission of ending chronic homelessness in D.C.." – Jim Reschovsky, Volunteer for 27 years

"Miriam’s has become a center for a whole array of social support services for those who need them Another important contribution is reminding the residents of Foggy Bottom that we have neighbors who are homeless and need support For me, an important impact is an opportunity for Western Presbyterian to live its faith which is why I’m a church member…because I have this opportunity."

– Cheryl Williams, Volunteer for 27 years

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In a separate bowl, combine vegetable oil, melted butter, honey, beaten eggs,

and milk

Pour the oil mixture into the flour mixture and stir till just combined. Do not overmix. Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in preheated oven for 45 minutes The top should start to brown, and cracks should start to form

Note: MK uses whole wheat to provide a nutritional component You can replace the whole wheat flour with all-purpose flour This will be lighten the texture even more

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CherylBell Executive Chef

GIVEONLINE

Save a stamp and give online by visiting miriamskitchen org/donate where you can easily make a donation, give in honor, or set up a monthly donation

ways to give GIVEBYMAIL

Prefer to send a check?

Please send all mail with checks to:

GIVEBY PHONE

Please call us at: 202-452-8926 x 286

Please have your credit, debit, or electronic funds transfer information ready

legacy giving

What legacy would you like to leave in this world? If you want to leave your mark by creating a brighter, more equitable future where every person has a safe place to call home then consider:

Naming Miriam's Kitchen as a beneficiary of 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.

For your quick reference, our legal name is: Miriam's Kitchen

Tax ID Number: 52-1331552

Incorporated in: 2401 Virginia Avenue, Washington, D C 20037

If you have already included Miriam’s Kitchen in your plans, it would be our honor to personally thank you Please contact Mei Powers (mei@miriamskitchen org or 202-452-8926 x 228) for questions or additional information.

SCAN ME TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WAYS TO GIVE page 04

Attn: Development Miriam’s Kitchen 2401 Virginia Ave, NW Washington, D.C. 20037

other ways to give

Matching Gifts: Did you know many employers will match charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees? To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please type bit.ly/MKdoublethedonation in your web browser.

Crypto & NFT Proceeds: Miriam’s Kitchen now accepts multiple cryptocurrencies through The Giving Block. Type bit.ly/MK-GiveCrypto in your web browser for more.

Donate a gift of appreciated stock to avoid capital gains tax. Type bit.ly/MK-DonateStock in your web browser for more information.

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.

If you have set aside money for charitable giving through a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) account, your grant to Miriam’s Kitchen can make a big difference.

Fundraise for Miriam’s Kitchen

• Donate your birthday or holiday to Miriam’s Kitchen and change the lives of your neighbors.

• Ask family and friends to sponsor your run with Miriam’s Kitchen on Saturday, November 12.

• Host a virtual in-kind drive.

• Organize an in-kind packing project For more details, contact Mei at mei@miriamskitchen.org.

mk spring 2023 newsletter
miriam's kitchen 2023 gala CELEBRATE WITHUS! #40THANNIVERSARY Visit bit.ly/MK2023Gala for information on tickets, view auction items, and more. Thank you to our partners who support our work from meals to housing to justice:
Scott Schenkelberg President & CEO Miriam's Kitchen
2022 MK Gala

MKHONORS SHEILAWHITE

#SPOTLIGHT

This Spring, Miriam’s Kitchen will honor Sheila White, an amazing community leader, at our 2023 Gala. Sheila’s journey from experiencing homelessness to becoming an anti-homelessness advocate has led to many incredible things. Most recently, she is profiled in (and produced) the short documentary “Street Reporter ” We caught up with Sheila to ask her about the documentary and upcoming honors at the MK Gala

Congratulations on being honored at the Miriam’s Kitchen Annual Gala! How did you feel when you heard the news that you were going to be honored?

When I got the call…I had so many emotions. I was crying, I was like, ‘really?’ I don’t know if I was crying because of the joy of the accomplishment, or it was the joy of someone noticing the fact that I cared I was all kinds of excited; I was emotional, honored but I really think the honor goes to Miriam’s Kitchen, you know because they saved my life So, it was an honor, very much so

Part of your journey from experiencing homelessness to becoming a housing advocate is told in the documentary “Street Reporter.” For those who haven’t seen it, how would you describe the film?

I describe the film as a way of showing the world, and even other homeless people, that even though you’re homeless, you can still be resilient and achieve your goals and your accomplishments And to let the world know that because I was homeless, I’m not invisible, I’m human Because they tend to treat me – when I was homeless – as somebody that was non-existent The opportunity to share that, and let people know that I’m still human, I still have feelings, I still have dreams and hopes basically, that was one of the main reasons why I was willing to do the documentary

What’s one thing you hope that people learn from the “Street Reporter” documentary?

That I’m human – that I’m a human being.

In your own words, describe the current state of housing and homelessness in Washington, D.C.

Our government needs to put more funding into mental health, it needs to put more funding into social workers, it needs to put more funding into permanent housing, and talk to some developers who are building these condos that are sitting all around D C and all in the inner cities…and make it affordable for people who need it.

What is the most important thing you’d like to accomplish as an anti-homelessness advocate?

I would like to see chronic homelessness end. I would like to see homelessness end period, but if you don’t have jobs for people to maintain their rent If they don’t have social workers to get people the help they need…Mentors – we need mentors, you know, we need people that can help pull people up off their bootstraps Most of them out there are mentally whipped, and it’s not all the time by addiction I had a flood It wasn’t addiction that put me on the street, it was a flood And I didn’t know how to navigate the system, then the system makes you go from one place to the next place The system will send you to get your ID in one place, get your birth certificate at another place, but when it comes to navigating other things – trying to get a lawyer, or somebody to speak for you because you can’t speak for yourself – people give up. Because I gave up I didn’t know how to talk, I didn’t know how to advocate for myself, and I didn’t know where to go When it came to me still sleeping out there in them cold winter months and hot summer days, I didn’t know who to turn to When I got into the shelter it was the same thing, I was given the runaround We need – you know, it’s just, we need funding, in all areas Educational areas, all areas just need funding And we need people that care and really want to do the job

What else would you like to add?

When you see somebody that’s down and out, a smile takes them a long way Even when you’re going through your mess, just a smile and saying ‘how are you doing’ to anybody on the street or if you’re on the bus or if you’re at your job Just smile, you know? Just smile and say ‘how are you doing’ – that means a lot to people I know it meant a lot to me because I didn’t smile for years, but now I do. Most people don’t look at themselves – see themselves, and we need to learn to see ourselves.

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Sheila White

beat the heat

Most of us view the summer as a season that brings lots of fun and celebration But for many of the individuals we serve at Miriam’s Kitchen (MK), summer means sweltering temperatures and a heightened state of emergency (dehydration and heat strokes). For this reason, we’re asking supporters like you to consider adding our Beat the Heat campaign to your summer plans.

Join the campaign to provide seasonal essentials, staff a meal shift, and spread awareness of critical needs for surviving the summer's heat

Your contribution to the campaign will support our guests during one of the most crucial moments of the year Together, we can help our neighbors have the basic summer necessities and Beat the Heat!

Visit: bit.ly/beat-the-heat-mk for more details and updated information.

upcoming events

TBA Volunteer in the GroW Garden!

05/18/2023

MK Gala “Celebrating 40 Years: From Meals to Housing to Justice”

11/11/2023

Run 4 MK (5k/10k/Fun Run)

Visit: bit.ly/run-4-mk-2023 for more details.

11/13/2023 - 11/21/2023

Hunger & Homelessness Awareness Week

Visit: bit.ly/mk-2023-events for more details and updated information.

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2023 spring newsletter

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