Our Washington, DC community is generous, civic-minded, and creative. That’s especially true of the people and partners who choose to support DC Central Kitchen. You don’t have to run a foundation or attend high-end galas to give back. From card shows to rock shows to rollicking block parties, DC neighbors are stepping up and making a difference. We asked them why they chose to fight hunger and poverty alongside us. Here’s what they said.
“DC Central Kitchen does incredible work, and its mission is obviously connected to the hospitality industry.
So in 2014, after years of suggestions, we made DC Central Kitchen the Sundress Festival’s beneficiary.
What has made the partnership especially meaningful is that our connection to DCCK goes well beyond the festival. We’ve participated in their mock interview program, worked directly with their clients preparing to enter the hospitality industry, and have hired several DCCK graduates at our bars. We’ve seen firsthand how their programs not only lead to jobs but also change lives and create real opportunities to build a career.
Our customers have embraced the partnership, too. Many of them have volunteered with DCCK or are familiar with the great work DCCK does, so they’re genuinely excited that coming to Sundress Festival means supporting a program that does so much for DC. That shared enthusiasm has become a big part of what makes the festival special.
After more than a decade of partnering with DC Central Kitchen, it’s become much more than the organization that benefits from Sundress Festival. It feels like an extension of what we believe a neighborhood business should be: part of the community and invested in the people who live and work here.”
-Rose Donna, Co-Owner, The Wonderland Ballroom
“Growing up as children of immigrants, Tim and I have always seen food as something that brings families and communities together.
We feel the same way about collecting Pokémon Cards. It’s never really been just about the cards, but the memories from childhood with friends, the new people we meet, and the community that comes with it. That’s a big part of why we started MINTD Card Show.
As our shows have grown, we’ve made it a priority to give back by donating a portion of our profits to local nonprofits. We’re proud to have DC Central Kitchen as one of our recurring partners because we believe in the work they do. With so many kids and families coming to our shows, we hope we can inspire the next generation to give back too.”
-Bryant Jen & Tim Chun, Co-Founders, MINTD Card Show
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“We chose DC Central Kitchen as our Law Rocks beneficiary because of the meaningful impact they have on the DC community. Their work goes beyond addressing hunger—it creates opportunities through job training, employment, and access to nutritious food. We were proud to use the Law Rocks stage to support an organization that strengthens our community in such a meaningful and lasting way.”
– Beth L. Jeffries, Director of Administration, Morgan, Lewis & Bockius
“At metrobar, we believe that being a neighborhood gathering place means being part of the community beyond our train doors. In addition to being a place to grab a drink and meet up with friends, we want to be a platform that supports the people and organizations doing meaningful work across DC.
That’s why we chose DC Central Kitchen as our fundraising beneficiary this past April. We dedicated a portion of cocktail sales to DCCK, hosted happy hours where their team could connect with our patrons face-to-face, and added an opportunity for guests to make a direct donation when closing their checks.
As a hospitality business, DCCK’s mission resonates with us. They use food to fight hunger, create jobs, provide opportunities, and strengthen communities throughout the city. Their work addresses immediate needs by getting nutritious meals to people who need them, while also investing in long-term solutions through culinary job training and career opportunities.
That combination of food, hospitality, and opportunity made DCCK a natural fit for us to support. We’re grateful for the work they do and proud to support an organization that works every day to make DC stronger.”
-John K. Groth, Co-Owner, metrobar
Want to support DCCK? Interested restaurants, bars, trade shows, and other community fundraising efforts can reach out to us anytime at events@dccentralkitchen.org to organize a partnership!