For more than two decades, the Xi Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. has partnered with Food & Friends to serve neighbors living with chronic illness. That long standing commitment was renewed this Martin Luther King Jr. Day, when Xi Omega members participated in a volunteer takeover across Washington, DC, including a meaningful day of service at Food & Friends led by chapter president Deidra Davis.
The partnership began through the leadership and vision of Sorors Cora Dixon and Vivian Smith, who recognized early on how closely Food & Friends’ mission aligned with AKA’s guiding principle of service to all mankind. Deidra shared that Soror Dixon formed a relationship with Food & Friends and brought the opportunity back to the chapter, creating a legacy of service that continues today. Both founding volunteers remain actively engaged, underscoring the depth and longevity of the partnership.
For Deidra, Food & Friends’ mission resonates on both a personal and professional level. As a general manager with Marriott in the Washington, DC region, she brings decades of experience in the hotel and hospitality industry and a deep understanding of food safety and operational excellence. “I’m in the hotel industry, so I have a safety food manager certification,” she shared. “I understood a lot of those protocols, and I really appreciate it because that way we know that food is going out and it’s not just nutritious, but it’s safe as well.”
Chapter president Deidra Davis helps pack medically tailored meals for neighbors in need
Her appreciation for the organization’s work is also shaped by her family’s experience caring for loved ones with serious health conditions. Deidra reflected on her grandparents’ battles with kidney failure and heart disease and the challenges her family faced in supporting them at home. She understands how critical proper nutrition can be for people managing illness, and how difficult it can be for families to balance caregiving, work, and daily responsibilities. Seeing organizations like Food & Friends step in to support neighbors during those vulnerable moments deeply resonated with her.
Although this was Deidra’s first time volunteering onsite, the experience left a strong impression. She described Food & Friends as “a well-oiled machine,” highlighting the thoughtful volunteer orientation, organized workflow, and emphasis on dignity and care. “I was more impressed than anything,” she said. “Impressed with the facility, impressed highly with the protocols and the focus on food safety.”
Xi Omega members pack medically tailored groceries
Witnessing Xi Omega members serve across the city on MLK Day reinforced the chapter’s commitment to meaningful impact. “It said to me that we need to be there (at Food & Friends) more often,” Deidra shared. With more than 700 members, she sees tremendous potential to deepen the partnership in the years ahead.
For Xi Omega, service is not just a value but a responsibility. Through its enduring partnership with Food & Friends, the chapter continues to turn that commitment into action, nourishing neighbors and strengthening the community with every volunteer shift.
If you’d like to learn more about volunteering at Food & Friends, visit our Volunteer Page to sign up for the new volunteer orientation.
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