It is hard to accept that children and families are hungry in the nation's capital. When the WNDC Educational Foundation (EF) learned in late April that one of the schools the Foundation works with needed support to get food for students and families affected by COVID-19, we launched Food*4*DC*Kids. Since that time, we have prepared and delivered more than 11,000 healthy and delicious meals to DC students and families affected by COVID-19!
Many people are making this program possible. Many generous donors—members and non-members alike—have donated funds to cover costs of staff, packaging, and staple foods. Two Rotary Clubs -- DuPont Circle and Washington -- made significant contributions to support this program and the GWU Rotaract raised funds from fellow undergraduates to support it. WNDC has pledged a generous contribution to keep the program going and dedicated the proceeds of lunches in our garden. Wollam Flowers sold daisies to benefit Food*4*DC*Kids.
Celestial Manna and Francis in the Schools have been routinely providing produce, cheese, and many other products. Route 11 donated packages of potato chips. And many farmers at the DuPont Circle FreshFarm Market have been generously providing wonderful fresh produce and other products: Anchor Nursery, Atwater Breads, Chicano Sol, Deep Roots Farm, DuPont Circle FreshFarm Market, Gardeners' Gourmet, Garners' Produce, Smith Meadows, Spring Valley Farm & Orchard, and Toigo Orchards.
Chef Iris Galeas and the dedicated WNDC kitchen staff prepare and pack creative, delicious, and nutritious meals in the Club’s safety-certified kitchen. And WNDC and its members have provided critical support for the program.
Most important, the Columbia Heights Educational Campus has delivered these prepared meals to the neediest students and families affected by COVID-19. CHEC is an extraordinary school. In better times, CHEC students have been regulars at EF’s International Women's Day and other programs; we have provided computers to graduating seniors, Women and the Vote calendars to their classrooms, and supported them in other ways. And on last June, our very own Rosalyn Overstreet-Gonzalez hosted a deeply moving on-line gala honoring CHEC principal Maria Tukeva and seniors who graduated in the middle of the pandemic and are heading to some of the finest colleges in the country. Many graduates are the first in their families to attend college.
Please Help Us Keep Food*4*DC*Kids Going!
Some families that we have served have been fortunate; they have recovered from COVID; some are now back at work. Others are less fortunate. At this time, we do not know when the need will be less acute. For now, we estimate that we can meet an important need with food donations and $10,000 per month for staff, utilities, and supplies.
Please help! Go to DONATE or send checks to WNDC–Educational Foundation, 1526 New Hampshire Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20036.
