Calvary Women’s Services Launches “Good Hope Kitchen: 100 Days to $100k” Program to Raise Funds to Build New Kitchen for Homeless Women

Calvary Women’s Services marked the kickoff a new grassroots fundraising campaign this week that will provide a new kitchen at their future home on Good Hope Road and all of the services and educational activities that will take place in that kitchen.

Calvary Women’s Services, which provides homeless women with both immediate shelter and longer-term services to empower independent living, started construction in July on their new facility in Southeast DC that will expand the critical services they offer homeless women.

Good Hope Kitchen: 100 Days to $100K gives Calvary supporters and other members of the community the chance to raise much-needed funds to end homeless in Washington, DC. The funds will help homeless women rebuild healthy new lives by not only serving up healthy meals, but hands‐on nutrition and cooking classes as well as employment opportunities.

“The meals prepared and served in the Good Hope Kitchen will nourish women while at the same time helping them build skills and connect to a supportive community,” says Calvary Executive Director Kris Thompson. “As it is for many people, the kitchen will be the heart of our new home. It will be the focal point of community life, our healthy living programs, and much, much more.”

During the 100 days before December 15, supporters will host fundraising events within the community to build towards the project’s $100,000 goal. Members of Calvary’s Board of Directors, major donors, volunteers, and other community supporters have committed to hosting events over the next 100 days to benefit the program.

Fundraising events already set for the next 100 days include, among others, an “Iron Chef”-style competition judged by Nycci Nellis, co-host of the radio show Foodie and the Beast, with Michael James of Proof competing.

The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation has been the first to commit their support to the Good Hope Kitchen by offering a $50,000 matching gift for funds raised through project. Sponsors from local businesses, corporations, congregations, and other groups will participate by matching money raised through the project as well.

Good Hope Kitchen: 100 Days to $100K will culminate with a special ribbon cutting ceremony at the close of the 100 days, with event hosts and sponsors in attendance.

Every year Calvary provides the women in our programs with more than 20,000 nutritious meals. At the Good Hope Kitchen, this will grow to over 35,000 meals each year. Calvary’s meals focus on promoting healthy living by providing women with nutrients that homeless women often lack – including whole grains, fresh fruit, and vegetable dishes. The meals program offers healthy options for women living with or at risk for diseases like diabetes, hypertension, obesity, heart disease and cancer.

This state of the art kitchen will provide 100 nutritious meals for the 50 women who will live at Calvary’s programs every day. The Good Hope Kitchen will for the first time allow volunteers to cook side-by-side with Calvary’s residents and staff in a community setting.

In addition to providing for women’s basic needs, the Good Hope Kitchen will also help homeless women build healthy new lives for the long-term. Professional chefs and nutritionists will volunteer to lead hands‐on cooking and nutrition classes, helping women develop new skills they can use for the rest of their lives.

The Good Hope Kitchen will allow Calvary’s supported employment program for formerly homeless women preparing for culinary careers to expand. They are currently able to employ one chef, and will grow to add a second position in the new facility.

“At Calvary, we offer women a safe, caring place for tonight and support, hope and change for tomorrow,” said Thompson. “Combining support services and a secure place to live is the key to returning women to independent living.”  

Calvary’s approach of providing for the immediate need for shelter and meals as well as addressing the underlying causes of homelessness works: every 5 days Calvary’s programs will help a woman move into her own home.

For additional information about the Good Hope Kitchen: 100 Days to $100K project, please contact Heather Laing at (202) 548-0596 or information@calvaryservices.org.