Miriam's Kitchen

08/19/2026

💙 Volunteer Spotlight: Scott Jaschik

For Scott Jaschik, volunteering at Miriam’s Kitchen is about showing up—and making a difference through the everyday things that matter.

A longtime MK donor who first volunteered in our kitchen 20 years ago, Scott returned after retirement and found a new way to serve: helping sort and distribute mail and toiletries to our guests.

He started volunteering on Mondays. Now, if he notices Tuesday needs an extra hand, you might find him there too.

“Mail is important to everyone, and it really means something when they receive it.”

Thank you, Scott, for your dedication, generosity, and commitment to our community! 💙

07/23/2026

Bring the whole family to Poet Life Fest! 🎤🎉

On Saturday, July 25, experience the heart of Poet Life Fest: The Poet's Homecoming—an all-day celebration of creativity, culture, wellness, and community.

Enjoy:

Live poetry and music
DJs and local vendors
Food trucks
Wellness experiences
Youth activities and family fun
Community resources and public health activations

While you're there, help support Miriam's Kitchen by bringing a donation for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. Most-needed items include:

Gently used or new men's athletic shoes (preferred sizes 11–15)
Gatorade (bottles or powder packets)
Cooling towels or cooling wipes
Bug wipes or bug-repellent bracelets
$10 SmarTrip transit cards

Your donation will help Miriam's Kitchen provide critical outreach supplies that keep our neighbors safe while we continue working toward the lasting solution: permanent housing.

📍 Gateway DC Pavilion
🗓️ Saturday, July 25
🕚 11:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Get your tickets and learn more at PoetLifeFest.com.

07/21/2026

💚Our Chief Advocacy Officer, Lara Pukatch, recently joined Living Local DMV After Hours with Corina Delgado on DC News Now to discuss the urgent need to end chronic homelessness in Washington, D.C.

During the conversation, Lara highlighted why permanent housing is the proven solution, the importance of investing in housing resources, and how Miriam's Kitchen continues to work alongside our neighbors every day through advocacy, outreach, and direct services.

Thank you to Living Local DMV After Hours and DC News Now for helping shine a light on the solutions that can make homelessness rare, brief, and nonrecurring.

Watch the interview and learn more about how you can support our mission.

Living Local DMV is staying up past its bedtime with Living Local A...

07/21/2026

🎤Join us July 20–26 for an incredible week of music, storytelling, networking, wellness, and celebration at Poet Life Fest: The Poet's Homecoming.

This year, Poet Life Fest is also supporting Miriam's Kitchen by collecting much-needed items for our neighbors experiencing homelessness. If you're attending any of the week's events, please consider bringing one of the following donations:

Gently used or new men's athletic shoes (preferred sizes 11–15)
Gatorade (bottles or powder packets)
Cooling towels or cooling wipes
Bug wipes or bug-repellent bracelets
$10 SmartTrip transit cards

Every donation helps provide comfort, dignity, and practical support while our outreach teams continue working alongside neighbors on the path to permanent housing.

Enjoy an unforgettable week of events—and make an impact while you're there.

Learn more and get your tickets at PoetLifeFest.com.

07/17/2026

Air Quality Alert: Code Purple

Wildfire smoke has caused air quality across the D.C. region to reach Code Purple, meaning the air is very unhealthy for everyone.

Miriam's Kitchen is operating as normal and remains open to support our guests. Throughout the day, we are providing:
• An air-conditioned, clean indoor space
• Masks
• Air quality and health information
• Support from our social workers and case managers

If you are outdoors today, limit your time outside whenever possible and move indoors if you experience difficulty breathing or other symptoms.

Our neighbors experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable during poor air quality events. Thank you for supporting Miriam's Kitchen as we continue to provide a safe place while working toward the long-term solution to homelessness: housing.

Stay safe. Check on your neighbors.

07/03/2026

When an Extreme Heat Alert is issued, our outreach teams are on the streets delivering water, cooling towels, sunscreen, and other lifesaving supplies to our neighbors living outside.

At the same time, our dining room is preparing fresh, nutritious meals and offering a cool, welcoming place where our neighbors can find nourishment, connection, and compassionate care.

But our work doesn't begin with extreme weather—and it doesn't end when the alert is over.

At Miriam's Kitchen, we think about our unhoused neighbors every single day of the year. Whether it's the hottest day of summer, the coldest night of winter, or an ordinary Tuesday, our teams are building relationships, providing essential services, and helping people move toward permanent housing.

As Adam Rocap, our Deputy CEO & Chief Strategy Officer, says, "We don't just think about people experiencing homelessness during emergencies—we work for them every day."

Because while emergency response saves lives, housing changes lives.

That's why we'll continue showing up, advocating, and working until every neighbor has a safe place to call home.

07/03/2026

As temperatures rise across Washington, D.C., so does the danger for our neighbors living outside.

This morning, Miriam's Kitchen Case Manager Eden Clark hit the streets with a wagon full of water, cooling towels, sunscreen, and other essential supplies to help people stay safe during the Extreme Heat Alert. Our outreach teams are meeting people where they are, providing immediate relief while building the relationships that help connect our neighbors to housing and critical services.

But while water and cooling supplies can save lives today, they are not the solution.

Housing is.

A safe, stable home protects people from extreme heat, freezing temperatures, and the daily dangers of living outside. It's the foundation for better health, dignity, and lasting stability.

Your support makes this work possible. Every meal served, every outreach visit, every housing placement, and every life changed begins with a community that believes everyone deserves a place to call home.

Together, we can help our neighbors survive today—and thrive tomorrow.

Learn more and support our mission: miriamskitchen.org

07/02/2026

🚨⚠️Dangerous heat is affecting our community, and people experiencing homelessness are among those most at risk.

During the District's Extreme Heat Alert, Miriam's Kitchen is expanding services to help keep our neighbors safe. We're opening one hour earlier at 3 p.m. to provide additional time in an air-conditioned space before dinner, distributing cooling towels, cold water, and sports drinks, and connecting guests with cooling centers and other critical resources. Our social workers and case managers are also checking on guests and helping them access the support they need.

While these emergency measures can save lives today, the best protection from extreme weather is a safe, stable place to call home.

If you see someone experiencing a heat-related medical emergency, call 911. To locate a cooling center or request outreach for someone experiencing homelessness, call 311.

Together, we can help protect our neighbors during this week's dangerous heat.

06/30/2026

💚 Rory is working toward something many of us take for granted: stability.

While staying in a shelter and working at a restaurant in Virginia, he relies on meals from Miriam’s Kitchen—not just for nourishment, but to keep going. He grabs meals to go, eats on the Metro, and makes it to work on time.

That simple meal? It helps him save money, stay focused, and keep moving forward.

At Miriam’s Kitchen, we say it starts with a meal—but the goal is housing. Rory’s story is a reminder that small moments of support can make a real difference.

Be part of the journey. Support our work today.

💚Donate Today: https://miriamskitchen.donorsupport.co/page/FUNGDWHHYQB

06/24/2026

Transportation is often a barrier for people experiencing homelessness. A loaded Metro SmarTrip card can help someone get to a medical appointment, access housing services, reach a cooling center, or travel safely during major events across the city.

We're collecting Metro cards with a minimum balance of $5 to distribute to neighbors living outside this summer.

Mail donations to:

Miriam's Kitchen
Attn: Joe Green
1250 24th Street NW
Washington, DC 20037

Every ride helps connect someone to safety, support, and opportunity.