A letter from the co-chairs
Now, more than ever before, Washington, DC needs DC Central Kitchen’s services, creativity, and boldness in fighting hunger and poverty.
As the proud co-chairs of the Bringing the Kitchen Home campaign, we are committed to helping DC Central Kitchen rise to this moment and overcome the severe constraints of its current location.
Twenty-five years ago, José discovered DC Central Kitchen as a young immigrant cook searching for his place in a new city and in the world. Instead of finding a run-of-the-mill soup kitchen, he became part of an engine of change – one that brought him to his own path and purpose.
Thomas was one of the organization’s earliest champions, serving as a hiring partner and food donor. He has devoted himself to creating career pathways in the hospitality industry for returning citizens, opportunity youth, and fellow Washingtonians who are part of the DC Central Kitchen family.
We know what is at stake in our city, and DC Central Kitchen offers real solutions at a crucial time. Join us in helping this outstanding organization fulfill its promise so more of our neighbors can fulfill theirs.
José Andrés
Think Food Group
Thomas Penny
Donohoe Hospitality
The Michael R. Klein Center for Jobs and Justice
DC Central Kitchen is thrilled to name our new headquarters in honor of Michael R. Klein and his long-standing commitment to our mission. Michael’s $10 million seed investment in the Michael R. Klein Center for Jobs and Justice will allow us to triple our capacity and scale our ability to provide job training and healthy food at a time when our community needs these resources more urgently than ever before.
campaign committee
José Andrés
Campaign Co-chair
Thomas Penny
Campaign Co-chair
Rick England
Foundation Giving Chair
Michael Klein
Corporate Giving Chair
Heather & Ryan
Zimmerman
Committee Members
Craig Newmark
Committee Member
Carol & Doug Steenland
Committee Members
Eric Kessler
Committee Member
Robin & Rob Wilder
Committee Members
Bruce Rosenblum
Committee Member
Lionel Lynch & Radhika Mohan
Committee Members
Claudia Sherman
Committee Member
Spike Mendelsohn
Committee Member
Rock Harper
Committee Member
Julia Baer-Cooper
Committee Member
Mark Michael
Committee Member
Herb Miller
Committee Member
join the fight
This campaign comes at a critical time for our community. Your support today will help DC Central Kitchen meet the demands of this moment and leave a personal legacy in the form of a stronger, fairer community in the years to come. For more information and naming opportunities, contact giving@dccentralkitchen.org.
Our donors
Thank you to the organizations & individuals who have stepped up to support the Bringing the Kitchen Home campaign:
Leadership Gifts
Michael R. Klein
The J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation
DC Workforce Investment Council
Craig Newmark Philanthropies and craigstable
Vincent A. and Helen M. Sheehy Foundation
Carol & Douglas Steenland
Major Gifts
Arcana Foundation
The Diane & Norman Bernstein Foundation
Lee & Sally Brown
The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation
A. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation
Grace & F Chapman Taylor
The Charina Endowment
Lisa & Sean Creamer
Lois & Richard England Family Foundation
Philip L. Graham Fund
Julie Farkas, Seth Goldman, and Eat The Change
Eric & Sharapat Kessler and the Family Alliance Foundation
James P. McDermott & Karen L. Peterson
Mark Michael & Margarita Prieto
The Gregory B. Norton Family
Office of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED)
Quinn Family Foundation
Bruce & Lori Laitman Rosenblum
Share Fund
Peter & Claudia Sherman
Sarah & Randy Tyree
Sunny Tyler Edelstein Tuttle & Rick Tuttle
Wells Fargo
Rob & Robin Wilder
World Bank Group Community Connections Fund
Supporting Gifts
Paul Clark & Debbie Myers
Roz & Don Cohen
Jennifer Eddy
Larry & Beth Greenberg
Dick & Sarah Hollington
Ted & Lynn Leonsis
Marriott International
Anne T. Melvin & Daniel J. Sullivan
Jeffrey Menick
Charles & Shari Pfleeger
Target Foundation