IMPACT REPORT 2025
KITCHEN OF PURPOSE
Using the Power of Food to Change Lives
2025 was full of change, growth, and excitement here at Kitchen of Purpose. While we put our cafe on pause, we started serving “meals with dignity” at
Family Meal and launched a new format of our
Small Business Incubator– the Food Lab.
As we filled our
Culinary and Bartending & Barista classes, we continued to see the magic of using the power of food to change lives.
2025 was also a year of strengthening community partnerships. You helped us fill our classes. You connected our students to good-paying jobs. You donated and volunteered.
We are indeed grateful!
Culinary Training Program
Kitchen of Purpose prepares students for exciting food service careers through rigorous, accredited bilingual culinary training with job readiness, social services, and English classes.
New at Kitchen of Purpose
Serving A New Population
In 2025, we enrolled 15 unhoused students, connecting them to training and resources.
Culinary Spotlight:
Meet Leah
Inspired by her father, a chef, Leah grew up in Arlington with a dream of making him proud. By age 21, Leah taught herself how to cook but was looking for professional training to kickstart a career in culinary arts.
Our program was exactly what Leah was looking for– quality culinary training at no cost to participants. Leah shared, “Throughout these eight weeks, I could really see myself grow as a professional cook.”
Today, Leah is a proud graduate working as a prep cook at Tatte Café & Bakery, excited for what’s ahead on her culinary journey.
Barista & Bartending
Kitchen of Purpose's Barista & Bartending Program is designed to help our students develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to excel in the fast-paced world of hospitality.
Meeting the Moment
In the midst of a shifting work landscape, Kitchen of Purpose is meeting the moment. In 2025, a reduction in the DMV’s federal workforce and massive layoffs in the tech sector prompted some community members to seek a fresh start through our training programs.
Barista Spotlight:
Meet Eyerusalem
Originally from Ethiopia, Eyerusalem was looking to build a career in the F&B industry when she discovered our Barista and Bartending program.
Eyerusalem learned key techniques and earned her TIPS certification. Eyerusalem shared that she felt truly empowered by KOP staff.
With our support, Eyerusalem landed a full-time job at Compass Group at Amazon HQ2. Eyerusalem enjoys crafting a caramel macchiato.
The Food Lab
The Food Lab is an 8-week training program that covers business concept development, marketing, QuickBooks, local regulations, and product testing for the food business dreamer.
Small Businesses Rooted in a
Community of Support:
Meet Judith
Judith recently moved to the DMV to open a food business honoring her Dominican heritage and for a better life for her daughters.
She joined our Food Lab, happy to find that she didn’t have to go it alone. With a knowledgeable instructor and a class of fellow entrepreneurs, Judith found technical assistance and a community of support.
Today, with the Kitchen of Purpose cheering her on, Judith is growing her small business, Forever Empanadas.
Food Assistance
Providing meals to our community in need.
Family Meal
CEO Brian MacNair was dreaming about how to feed vulnerable populations in a new way. A thought came to him: serving
delicious, high-quality meals with dignity in Kitchen of Purpose’s peaceful cafe space.
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.
Each evening is thoughtfully designed so that every guest feels respected, welcomed, and valued.
Volunteers
From July to December, more than 60 community and corporate volunteers came out on Monday evenings to serve meals with dignity.
Beyond Family Meal, volunteers supported students with mock interviews, public speaking, financial literacy, and life coaching.
After School Supper
In 2025, Kitchen of Purpose continued to address childhood hunger in our community. We served thousands of healthy, balanced meals. With a full belly, kids can focus on learning and growing after school!
Partners
At Kitchen of Purpose, our impact is growing with the help of our amazing partners: volunteers giving back, generous individuals, corporations, and family foundations, as well as local governments that financially support our mission to use the power of food to change lives.
Partner Spotlight
In 2025, Compass rolled up their sleeves to help make a difference. As an employer partner and a donor, Compass also organized their employees to volunteer at Family Meal.
We 🧡 our volunteers!
We couldn’t have done it without our non-profit partners!
We are so thankful to our donors!
