DC Central Kitchen combats hunger and creates opportunities for veterans year-round. Since November 2023, we’ve worked with the nonprofit Cook for Vets, which engages military families and veterans in providing home-delivered food to veterans in need of food assistance. Our meals allowed them to add a second delivery date to their monthly distribution efforts. Our alliance helps these fighters fight food insecurity, something 1 in 6 military and veteran families experience.
View this post on Instagram
In addition to our food distribution efforts to support those who have served, we are also committed to providing training and job opportunities to veterans in our community.
Before Nutrition Engagement Coordinator Leann Boatwright served at DC Central Kitchen, she was a Radio Operator as well as a marksmanship instructor in the Marine Corps. Enlisting as a 19-year-old in October 2006, she left the service after five years as an E-5 (Seargent) in December 2011. Her service in the service aligns with the mission of DC Central Kitchen. Leann told us, “Working for DCCK and being in the military are two sides of the same coin, I see it as I am still working for the people, for the community. My roles may be in a different capacity, but it still boils down to being there for others.”
Part of the mission statement of the Marines is, “Side by side, we welcome obstacles and thrive on challenge.” It’s not dissimilar to ours. Leann told us, “I wanted to work for DCCK because our mission statement really aligns with my personal life. I have faced poverty and food scarcity as a child, where there were times that the only meals I ate were served at school. Now that I am in a better position in life, I want to help children facing the same challenges I did when I was younger; I believe that everyone should have a full stomach.”
In addition to our Healthy School Foods team, we have veterans throughout our slate of programs. An Army veteran with 10 years of service, Anthony Hilliard graduated from our Culinary Job Training program (Class 110). Since September 2018, Anthony has been working in the ranks of DC Central Kitchen. Today, Anthony works as a Facilities Coordinator, with responsibilities throughout our 36,000 square foot headquarters. Anthony describes his day-in-day-out approach to taking on more responsibility and stepping up for our mission as an “arms wide-open” mentality.
This Veterans Day week, we’re honored to work side-by-side with these brave service members and partners like Cook for Vets in our mission to fight hunger differently.
For more on our partnership with Cook For Vets, watch DCCK Chief Development Officer Alex Moore with Cook for Vets founder & president LJ Raspler and DCCK’s Anthony Hilliard to talk about Veterans’ hunger in our Craig Newmark Studio for Zealous Communications as we “get loud” together on this vital issue.