MEGA-BITES: Microsoft Conference and Centerplate, Inc. provide 7,000 lbs. of food for DCCK Meal Service

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07.29.2010 --

More than 14,000 individuals representing 130 countries descended on the Walter E. Washington Convention center over July 11-15 for the largest-ever Microsoft Worldwide Partner Conference (WPC). Food service for this massive event was provided by Centerplate, Inc., one of the leading hospitality companies in the world.

Even with all the hungry minds and bodies in attendance at WPC, there were still plenty of meals to spare. Centerplate, Inc. generously donated this surplus - over 7,000 lbs. of food - to DC Central Kitchen at no charge.

Leftover stuffed turkey, roast beef, pork, barbeque chicken, and pastries fed thousands of D.C. residents through DC Central Kitchen’s Meal Distribution program, which prepares and distributes meals to shelters, rehabilitation clinics, afterschool programs, and other social service agencies throughout the D.C. area.

“The [Walter E. Washington] Convention Center has been a partner of ours for a long time, and it was great to know that they were thinking of us and went through the trouble of coordinating this large of a donation,” said Joelle Johnson, Local Food Coordinator at DC Central Kitchen.

The enormous amount of food could not have been collected without the help of a team of dedicated volunteers over the four day period. On Thursday night, volunteers from DC Central Kitchen’s evening ‘co-op shift’ traveled to the Walter E. Washington Convention Center to pan up food and transport it safely back to the Kitchen.

DC Central Kitchen also gave a portion of the donated items to SOME (So Others Might Eat) and the Father McKenna Center, two other D.C. area food distributers, so that they could benefit from the great donation as well.

“It was nice to have that huge volume of food so that we could pass it on,” said Joelle.