Caption: First Lady Michelle Obama joins those who served breakfast today (March 5) at Miriam’s Kitchen, a feeding ministry of Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Photo by Carol Howard Merritt, used by permission.[/caption]First Lady Michelle Obama visited and served meals at Miriam’s Kitchen for the Homeless at Western Church in Washington, D.C. today (March 5) as part of her effort to focus attention on the issues of nutrition and the homeless. She praised the program as a model for its emphasis on creating a menu that severely limits sugar intake while emphasizing the use of fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole wheat baked goods, according to Pastor John Wimberly. She noted there is a high incidence of diabetes among the poor. Serving the poor food loaded with sugar and high fat content simply exacerbates existing health problems.
The chef at Miriam’s Kitchen, Steve Badt, worked at a high-end restaurant in New York City prior to making his commitment to improve the nutritional health of the homeless. Badt’s work at Miriam’s Kitchen has been recognized in People Magazine, The Washington Post, The Today Show, the Food Network, CNN, and elsewhere.
Since 1983, Miriam’s Kitchen has been serving more than 200 homeless people daily at Western Church. In 1994, neighbors attempted to shut the program down citing the zoning code. They hoped that eliminating the program would cause the homeless to disappear. However, citing the First Amendment Constitutional right to practice religious beliefs, a U.S. federal court issued a permanent injunction barring the city from interfering with the congregation’s work with the homeless.
Miriam’s Kitchen serves breakfast Mondays through Fridays and a light lunch on Wednesdays, the day some of those being served also see case workers helping them with other needs. The ministry is made possible by a volunteer pool of 1,200 people, a staff of 14, and an annual budget of approximately $1 million, according to Scott Schenkelberg, executive director. The ministry is planning to expand the program to include an evening meal in a different location if the economic resources can be developed, he said.
Those who have traditionally eaten at Miriam’s Kitchen have been adults with long-term homelessness issues. In the recent economic downturn, Schenkelberg says, they are seeing a somewhat different demographic. Persons once living on the margins — day laborers, for example — who were employed but cannot now find jobs, are facing homelessness and the need for services such as Miriam’s Kitchen.
The ministry is named for Moses’ sister, Miriam, according to Carol Howard Merritt, Western Church pastor. It began as a joint ministry of several churches and campus ministries at George Washington University and other student ministries.
