President Obama Packs Meals at D.C.'s Food & Friends on National Day of Service and Remembrance

To mark the National Day of Service and Remembrance, a day designated by Congress to honor the victims of 9/11, President Obama visited Food & Friends, a charity in Northeast D.C. that provides meals to seriously ill people.

Craig Shniderman, Food & Friends' executive director since 1995, told DCist the president's hour-long visit to help pack meals was "remarkable" and a "thrill."

"It was the wonderful thing for the President of the United States, who is concerned about the world, to demonstrate his personal concern for the neighbors in Washington, D.C. and the surrounding areas served by Food & Friends," Shniderman said, adding that the president and volunteers had a great experience. The meals Obama helped pack will be delivered on Friday and Saturday.

Shniderman, who said he believes Obama chose Food & Friends due to their work with Americorps, said he was told by the White House that it was important to the president that "this becomes an opportunity for people to become volunteers and supporters" of the Fort Totten charity.

Food & Friends already has over 14,000 volunteers, Shniderman said, but needs more to help take care of the people with HIV/AIDs, cancer and other serious illnesses they serve.

Πηγή :  dcist.com/