For the last 37 years, Miriam’s Kitchen has served a nutritious breakfast to men and women in the District who are chronically homeless, feeding more than 4,000 people each year. Today, it offers "more than a meal": Miriam's is a leading advocate for a more effective and efficient homeless services system. In the dining room, where dinner is now served, case managers work one-on-one to meet guests' needs – providing them with clothing and toiletries, connecting them to critical social services, and helping them find jobs and housing. Other community organizations bring their services (healthcare, legal support, HIV testing) on site to further streamline support. But a stable home for all is the ultimate goal, so Miriam’s offers wrap-around care to 217 formerly homeless individuals who now live in Permanent Supportive Housing, helping them integrate into the community and remain safely housed. Ending chronic and veteran homelessness is possible.

Headquarters: DC-Ward 2

Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; our services are provided out of our dining room in Foggy Bottom

Age Groups Served: Adult (25-49)

Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Asian American; Caucasian; Latino/Hispanic; Native American; Other

Population(s) Served: Individuals with Disabilities; Individuals who identify as LGBTQ; Individuals living with HIV/AIDs; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Disabled; Gays/Lesbians; HIV/AIDs; Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members


  • Number of people housed:  
    Miriam's Kitchen helped move 152 people from the streets and shelters into permanent housing.
  • Number of meals served:  
    Miriam's Kitchen's professional chefs prepared more than 330 meals from scratch every weekday--78,000 over the year!
  • Number of people connected to health services:  
    Miriam's Kitchen connected 185 people to health services.
  • Number of people connected to mental health sevices:  
    Miriam's Kitchen connected 148 people to mental health services.
  • Veterans experiencing homelessness who are now housed through funding secured by Miriam's Kitchen and The Way Home Campaign:   2,600 since 2013

Awards & Recognition

2018 Center for Nonprofit Advancement's AIM Award
2016 Bank of America Neighborhood Builders Award
2016 Chief Program Officer named to DC Interagency Council on Homelessness
2015 Chief Program Officer given DC Behavioral Health Association's Founder's Award
2014 Leadersihp Greater Washington, Chief Development and Communications Officer, Sara Gibson
2013 Leadership Greater Washington (President & CEO, Scott Schenkelberg
2012, 2013 Charity Navigator Four Star Charity Status for sound fiscal management and transparent operations.
2012 Winner, Center for Nonprofit Advancement’s EXCEL Award, for Excellence in Chief Executive Leadership--Scot Schenkelberg, President & CEO
2012 Finalist: Board Leadership Award from the Center for Nonprofit Advancement
2012 Leadership Greater Washington, Executive Director, Catherine Crum
2011 Washingtonian 50 Best Places to Work
2011/2012 Catalogue for Philanthropy Best Small Charities
2010 Meyer Foundation Exponent Award recognizing nonprofit leaders with a track record of accomplishment and potential for future growth and development
2010 Nonprofit Roundtable Future Executive Director Fellowship Catherine Crum, now Executive Director then Deputy Director 2010 Washington Business Journal Best Place to Work in Greater Washington
2010 Mayor's Art Award for Innovation in the Arts finalist
2009 Washington Business Journal Best Place to Work in Greater Washington
2009 Washington City Paper Best Place to Volunteer in DC
2009 Mayor's Art Award for Innovation in the Arts finalist
2008 Washingtonian Magazine Best Local Charities
2007/2008 Catalogue for Philanthropy Best Small Charities
2003/2004 Catalogue for Philanthropy Best Small Charities
2001 Washington Post Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management

Press

Budget (FY2023)

  • The current budget for Miriam's Kitchen is: $3 million or higher
  • $1 million to $3 million
  • $500k to $1 million
  • Less than $500k

Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

About Spur Local

Each year 150+ community advocates review applicants on the basis of governance, equity, and impact. Each featured nonprofit has been successfully site visited and its financials given the thumbs up. Spur Local charges no fees and raises funds separately to support its work. Since 2003, it has raised over $57 million for nonprofits across the Greater Washington region.

Spur Local looks to friends like you to keep our services independent and entirely free of charge. Consider a small contribution to Spur Local to cap off your gift and help the causes you care about get the full support they deserve!

If you like Miriam's Kitchen you might also like



This organization collaborates with