Kitchen Produces 45,000 Meals During Record Snowstorm

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02.09.2010 --
(photos by Samantha Michaels/Medill School of Journalism)

For the second time this winter, the DC Central Kitchen has defied a record breaking snowstorm.

Since 1989, the Kitchen has produced daily meals for shelters, while providing culinary job training for the unemployed.

During this week's record snowstorm, the Kitchen not only produced its scheduled 4,000 meals per day, its dedicated staff, volunteers and trainees were able to produce an additional 2,300 meals per day, over the last five days, assuring that men and women who were trapped in local shelters were provided with healthy and hearty breakfast, lunch and dinners.

Mike Curtin, the CEO of the Kitchen gave credit to staff determination, as well as economic planning for the organization's agility.

"Because we produce over 50% of our own income, we are able to be more decisive about hiring a snow plow to clear our docks and securing hotel space for employees who are prepared to get the job done. This is what we do, and we never give in!"

Jerald Thomas, the Kitchen's Executive Chef agreed. "Volunteers and local chefs have been walking in to help. Just today, chefs from Café Atlántico walked over to lend a hand. We also got a $2,000 cake donated when a wedding was canceled. The outpouring of time and talent is amazing."

Transportation Director Steve Robinson also credited the Kitchen's drivers, who navigated treacherous roads to deliver meals to shut in shelter residents.

The Kitchen will bring that same commitment to community to work each day, as another storm bears down on the nation's capitol.

UPDATE:

WTOP's Bob Madigan Covers Meal Production During Snowstorm(MP3)