WASHINGTON – One of D.C.’s kitchens opened its doors to those in need Christmas morning.
Miriam’s Kitchen, 2401 Virginia Avenue in Northwest, welcomed those in need to enjoy a fresh, hot meal on Christmas Day from 7 a.m. until 8 a.m. Miriam’s Kitchen serves the homeless through a breakfast program and also offers case management, transitional housing and after-breakfast programs.
“We feel it is tremendously important everyday, but especially on days like Christmas where our community is open to everyone that people have a safe place that they can come and feel treated with dignity and respect [and] get a great meal,” says Miriam’s Tom Murphy.
On Wednesday, more than 20 volunteers helped prepare and serve the food. A group of the volunteers baked pumpkin pies with pumpkins donated by the White House Gardens.
“It doesn’t really feel like a charity,” says Bo Phan, the volunteer charged with making the french toast.
Phan has been cooking for the homeless for 11 years and says many of the people they serve are honest about the meals.
“It’s kind of nice that you get their candid response on how the food was served,” he says.
Between breakfast and dinner on Christmas Day, more than 300 meals were served to the needy.
“When your homeless in D.C., even though this is the nation’s capitol, there’s not too many resources,” Gus Weekes. “Miriam’s Kitchen is one you can take advantage of, ”
For many like Weekes, these meals are the only full meals they will have all day.
“[It] Keeps someone like a homeless person from looking into the trash can for something to eat,” says Artis Glover, who came to Miriam’s for breakfast.
For more information about donating time or resources to Miriam’s Kitchen, visit its website.
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