2. Intro – Mike Letter

A Note from our CEO

This report marks another year of life-changing work here at DC Central Kitchen, and two full years of carrying out that work in the face of a pandemic. Thanks to the incredible and catalytic support of our community, we have continued to move our programs and mission forward.

 

Our Culinary Job Training program moved to Nationals Park and the Ronald Reagan Building before settling into our re-opened social enterprise cafe in Ward 8 and celebrating our 2000th graduate. We deployed our first-ever food trucks to provide meals during school breaks, transformed the Washington Convention Center into a grocery assembly line, and delivered record quantities of healthy food to small corner stores. We met the urgent needs of the moment while planning for our biggest move yet: transitioning from our long-time headquarters in a shelter basement later this year to a transformational 36,000 square foot facility named the Michael R. Klein Center for Jobs and Justice, where we will expand our programs and help anchor a more inclusive post-pandemic recovery.

 

Because of you, DC Central Kitchen has adapted and adjusted without ever losing sight of our values and unflinching focus on the root causes of hunger and poverty in our city. I hope you enjoy seeing what your support has made possible and look forward to sharing more ‘big moves’ in the year to come.

 

Mike Curtin, Jr.

Chief Executive Officer

Volunteer Bill of Rights

All volunteers have the right to:

  • Work in a safe environment
  • Be treated with respect by all staff members
  • Be engaged in meaningful work and be actively included regardless of any physical limitations
  • Be told what impact your work made in the community
  • Ask any staff member questions about our work
  • Provide feedback about your experience
  • Receive a copy of our financial information or annual report upon request.

Community Service

DC Central Kitchen provides opportunities for volunteers to complete service hours related to a legal matter during our regularly scheduled volunteer shifts. Candidates participating in this service for DCCK are prohibited from enrolling in our community service program if they have the following charges or convictions: assault, sexual assault, weapons charge, unlawful entry, destruction of property or disorderly conduct.
Community Service volunteers must contact Director of Guest Experience (202) 851-4207 or jmcintyre@dccentralkitchen.org or the Guest Experience Manager ( to confirm your service dates and times. A volunteer account can be created online for community service volunteers, and hours will be reported based on the shifts you are checked in for within the Volunteer Portal.
Community Service volunteers can only work at the Klein Center for Jobs and Justice (2121 First St, SW). We can accept no more than 10 court-ordered volunteers at a time. All community service volunteers are required to inform the Reception desk that you are volunteering for service hours upon check-in and should sign the Community Service Log for each visit.
Once you complete your required hours, you will receive a letter of completion and a confirmation of the number of hours completed. Your service opportunity can be terminated at any time for failure to abide by DC Central Kitchen’s regulations. Grounds for discontinuation of service include but are not limited to displaying a disruptive behavior or attitude; failing to adhere to DCCK’s dress code; or failing to show up for assigned shifts on time.