A Year of Impact: 8 Years, 5 Million Meals, and a Community That Shows Up
Dear DC Food Project Community,
As summer begins and another school year comes to a close, we want to take a moment to reflect on what has been one of the most meaningful years in DC Food Project’s history.
This year marks eight years of service, the delivery of our 5 millionth meal, and a milestone of reaching 100 schools across Washington, D.C. and Arlington. What began as a small grassroots effort has grown into a sustained, school-based network helping ensure that children and families have access to the food and essentials they need throughout the year.
These milestones also belong to all of you.
Whether you volunteered at a distribution, sponsored a school, donated food or funding, opened doors to new partnerships, or helped spread the word, you have played a direct role in strengthening food access for students across our region.
MacArthur HS JROTC
RISING TO MEET THE MOMENT
This school year brought real challenges for many of the communities we serve. Rising food costs, ongoing inflation, uncertainty around federal nutrition programs, disruptions tied to SNAP and government funding pressures all contributed to increased strain on families already doing their best to make ends meet.
At the same time, we saw something equally powerful: a community that stepped up.
Our partners expanded their support. New schools joined our network. Volunteers showed up in greater numbers. And together, we were able to respond to rising needs with urgency, care, and consistency.
We continue to be inspired by the educators, counselors, social workers, family engagement teams, and school leaders who advocate every day for their students and who make these programs possible within their communities. Our team thanks each and every one of you.
NEW SCHOOL SHOUT OUTS:
We would like to welcome the following schools into the DC Food Project Family! We are thrilled to be working with you!
DISTRIBUTION DAYS: COMMUNITY IN ACTION
Our Distribution Days remain at the heart of our mission.
Throughout the year, hundreds of volunteers joined us to help pack and deliver thousands of pounds of food, snacks, toiletries, and essential supplies directly to schools across the region. These coordinated efforts are carefully designed to ensure that students receive vital resources discreetly and with dignity during the school day, after school, and heading into extended breaks.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS & VOLUNTEERS
This year's impact was made possible by an extraordinary network of supporters. We extend our sincere gratitude to our longstanding partners, including DC Central Kitchen, Capital Area Food Bank, DCPS Food & Nutrition Services, Arlington County Public Schools and Support + Feed, and so many others who continue to stand alongside us in this work.
We are also deeply grateful to our volunteer groups, corporate partners, and community supporters across this school year, including Monumental Sports and Entertainment Foundation, Philip L. Graham Fund, DC Prep Schools, MacArthur High School JROTC, St. Albans School (STA), Georgetown Hoyas, DC Soccer Club (DCSC), GoPlay, Khalsa Aid, Upside, Sheridan School, Park Hyatt Washington, Hyatt, Capital City, Summit Human Capital, American Bakers Association, SHEIN, Call Your Mother, St. Columba's Nursery School, Adobe, Mission 500, Starbucks, Todd Strategy Group, IMF, Van Ness Feldman, JLL, IREM, Feast & Fettle, Food Recovery Network, District Elite, Councilmember Frumin, and our many individual volunteers who consistently show up with energy, compassion, and a willingness to serve.
Together, you helped ensure that children and families across our community had access to nutritious food and essential resources when they needed them most.
LOOKING AHEAD
As we prepare for the 2026–2027 school year, we are focused on strengthening our existing programs while thoughtfully expanding to meet growing demand. More schools continue to request support, and the need for reliable, school-based food access continues to rise.
The uncertainty in broader funding landscapes only reinforces the importance of this work and the strength of this community behind it.
We remain committed to showing up for our schools, supporting students with dignity, and filling gaps wherever they exist.
THANK YOU
To every volunteer, partner, funder, and supporter: thank you for being part of this work and this community.
We will share updates later this summer with upcoming volunteer opportunities and our Distribution Day schedule for the new school year. Until then, we hope you enjoy a well-deserved summer filled with rest, sunshine, and time with the people you love.
With deep gratitude,
Alysa, Katie, Krista & Lucie
DC Food Project Co-Founders