EIN: 46-2037695
Mission Statement
Kitchen of Purpose uses the power of food to change lives. An agent for socio-economic change, the Kitchen of Purpose generates workforce and entrepreneurship development and provides healthy food assistance in the D.C. metro area. Together, the Kitchen of Purpose community–staff, students, entrepreneurs, partners, supporters– create employment, launch new food businesses, and work to end hunger.
Program Summary
Workforce Development Program
Culinary Training
n our state-of-the-art training kitchen, community members seeking jobs with family-sustaining salaries learn the skills they need to work as qualified cooks and chefs. After the 8 weeks of training, our students begin a four-week paid internship with one of our employer partners. Our job placement leads to permanent job offers, and our graduates earn an average of $19 hour after they have completed our program that includes:
Barista & Bartending Program
Barista & Bartending Training is training for careers in the restaurant industry, focusing on barista and bartending skills. The 8-week training includes TIPS certification and job placement.
The Food Lab
With the right support, a small business can be a way to earn a family-sustaining income. Kitchen of Purpose provides the training and resources low-to-moderate income community members seek in order to launch successful businesses. Our Food Lab small business incubator offers:
Food Assistance
Meals to At-Risk Kids
This is where Kitchen of Purpose steps in. We provide after-school enrichment programs and after-school meals. The meals are fresh and balanced, meeting childhood nutrition needs.
Family Meal
In 2025, Family Meal took shape and launched as a gathering for vulnerable neighbors to enjoy a 3-course meal prepared by local guest chefs and served with care by volunteers. It is an evening where we serve “Meals with Dignity.”
Impact Statement
In 2025, Kitchen of Purpose achieved a 90% job placement rate, placing students in positions with $19hr average wage.
By the Numbers:
Each year, we train 90+ community members in
In our food assistance programs, we serve
Join us in using the power of food to change lives!
What ways can the public get involved?
We invite the community to change lives through the power of food! Opportunities to get involved include:
Mentorship and Coaching: Business professionals with financial expertise and small business experience provide essential support to our entrepreneurs. Volunteers share their experience with clients in our Small Business Incubator as they start or expand their small food businesses.
Skill Share: Kitchen of Purpose invites those with expertise in technology, social media, marketing, and communications to share their skills with Kitchen of Purpose and help us advance our mission.
Preparing Healthy Meals: We invite corporate and community groups to a team building activity that also transforms food into healthy meals as part of Kitchen of Purpose’s Food Assistance Program.
How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?
Information provided March 2026