Learn About Miriam's Kitchen

Miriam's Kitchen was founded in 1983 by a collaboration of The George Washington University Hillel Student Association, Western Presbyterian Church and United Church in response to an urgent need for services for the homeless in Washington, DC.

Our mission is to provide individualized services that address the causes and consequences of homelessness in an atmosphere of dignity and respect, both directly and through facilitating connections in Washington, DC.

We provide free, homemade meals and high-quality support services to more than 4,000 homeless men and women each year through our core programs: Meals, Case Management, Miriam's Studio, and Miriam's Cafe. 

Why Miriam's Kitchen?

The founders of Miriam's Kitchen chose ‘Miriam’ for symbolic reasons. As the people of Israel traveled to the Promised Land, Miriam, Moses’ sister, was forced to live outside the camp in isolation because of a sin she committed.

Moses interceded and asked God to allow her to be re-integrated into the people.

Our founders believed that the homeless live a parallel life to what most of us lead. They are camped (literally in some cases) outside the people in isolation. Our goal as a program is to bring them back into the people where they can enjoy the same joys and comforts the rest of us experience.