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

Quinter, Guest

"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

Soroka, Guest

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

Leonard, Guest

"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

Featherstone, Guest

"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 "

–

Joyce

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

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

Rachelle Ellison AdvocacyFellow