Annual Report 2008 20 years and moving <strong>for</strong>ward Combating Hunger Creating Opportunity
Feeding the Soul of the city In 2009, we mark our 20th anniversary. While milestones of this nature are often celebrated, we are taking a different approach. Let’s be honest, what is there to celebrate about the fact that after 20 years, there are still people who are hungry and disenfranchised? As we reflect on where we are and how far we have come, we need to do so <strong>with</strong> a critical eye to the future, looking through the lens of experience two decades in the making. We need to evaluate what h<strong>as</strong> made the Kitchen the nonprofit leader, model and innovator that it is, ensuring that we remain just that <strong>as</strong> we move <strong>for</strong>ward and lead the charge <strong>for</strong> economic empowerment, inclusion and liberation. Over the years, we have very purposefully operated on multiple levels simultaneously. We don’t simply feed, we empower our partners by requiring them to reinvest the money we save them to improve their programs and services. We don’t simply teach culinary skills, we work on the skills that will allow our graduates to keep their jobs and grow in them. Our Campus Kitchens are <strong>as</strong> much about teaching leadership to <strong>you</strong>ng volunteers <strong>as</strong> they are about helping to fill holes in community food systems. Our catering operation is <strong>as</strong> much about showing a new model of philanthropy <strong>as</strong> it is about generating revenue and employing our graduates. And our new Farmers Cooperative is <strong>as</strong> much about creating local economic sustainability and getting healthier food to the community <strong>as</strong> it is about sourcing more af<strong>for</strong>dable food. This year we sought to bring a higher level of transparency to our operation and organization. We’ve posted in<strong>for</strong>mation on our website about salaries, benefits and staff and board make up. (dccentralkitchen.org/raw-ingredients) We also served <strong>as</strong> a pilot <strong>for</strong> a new online tool called Great Nonprofits where volunteers can rate their experience <strong>with</strong> us and share unfiltered feedback. Finally, we have taken a bold leap to define a shared voice <strong>for</strong> all nonprofits. The new V3 Campaign inspires nonprofits around the country to engage politicians in a discussion about the role our industry plays and how they plan to work <strong>with</strong> the 10% of the American work<strong>for</strong>ce that is the nonprofit sector. All this considered together, constitutes what we are calling <strong>DC</strong> <strong>Central</strong> Kitchen 2.0. Not a new vision, but the same one Robert Egger had twenty years ago when he founded <strong>DC</strong> <strong>Central</strong> Kitchen <strong>with</strong> greater focus on sustainability, innovation and transparency <strong>as</strong> well <strong>as</strong> the larger dialogue and the role we play in that conversation. 2008 w<strong>as</strong> a challenging year, and 2009 is certain to present more challenges. <strong>DC</strong>CK 2.0, however, positions us to turn these challenges into more opportunities <strong>for</strong> progress and change. We hope <strong>you</strong> will join us on what certainly will be an extremely exciting ride. Mike Curtin, Jr. Chief Executive Officer Mike Curtin, Jr., CEO of <strong>DC</strong> <strong>Central</strong> Kitchen <strong>DC</strong> <strong>Central</strong> Kitchen Raw Ingredients 41% of the staff have been employed <strong>for</strong> 2 years or more. 33% of the staff are Culinary Job Training graduates. 82% of the staff are female, minority or both. 21% of management and supervisory positions are held by ex-offenders.
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