Giving back to the local community is important to everyone on the AFS 401(k) team, and what better way to do that than by participating in an activity that directly helps those in need? On Monday, August 26, we held our annual community service event in which we joined with SOME (So Others Might Eat) in Northeast Washington, DC to help with their daily lunch service. This opportunity was a great team activity that brought our clients and us together and was a wonderful way we could lend a helping hand to those in need.
SOME has been helping the homeless community of DC since 1970, when it began as a soup kitchen in a church basement. Over the years, SOME has taken a more holistic approach towards caring and rehabilitating those who are homeless in the DC area. Today, the organization not only offers hot meal service for breakfast and lunch, but also provides services that involve emergency housing, job training, medical and dental services, free clothing, and mental health counseling. Here are a few numbers that highlight SOME’s remarkable accomplishments this past year:Served a total of 421,799 meals to men, women, and children in need
Provided services to an average of 35 patients per day in the medical clinic.
Graduated 81 students from their Center for Employment Training, 64% of which were placed in jobs.
Started developing 358 housing units in addition to the 386 units already in use.
These numbers should give you a quick snapshot of all the amazing services SOME offers to those who are underserved in the DC community. In addition to participating in this day of service, AFS will also be making a financial contribution to SOME in order to help them continue doing their great work! To learn more about the organization, visit their website here.
