How This DC Kitchen Is Transforming Lives

— -- In the shadow of the US Capitol, hidden away in the basement of one of the country's largest homeless shelters, the DC Central Kitchen is on a mission to end the cycle of homelessness, addiction, incarceration and poverty.

Originally opened in 1989 with donations from George H.W. Bush’s inaugural galas, DC Central Kitchen has graduated more than 100 classes of men and women who have taken an important step in ending the cycle with culinary job training.

Beyond helping people find and start a career, DC Central Kitchen also prepares 5,000 meals each day, largely prepared by program graduates and volunteers.

By incorporating large amounts of leftover and surplus food that would otherwise have been thrown away, they're also helping save the environment by preventing excess waste.

The meals are donated to 80 area shelters, nonprofits and transitional homes which can then use the money saved to help their clients and fund their programs.