WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 30, 2025) — Food & Friends is thrilled to announce it has been named Best Nonprofit, Best Charity Event for Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction, and Best Place to Volunteer in Washington City Paper’s 2025 Best of DC awards. Voted on by the public, these honors reflect the community’s trust in and enthusiasm for Food & Friends’ mission to provide home-delivered, medically tailored meals and nutrition services to individuals living with serious illnesses in the Washington, D.C. region.
“This recognition is incredibly meaningful to our entire organization,” said Carrie Stoltzfus, MPH, Executive Director of Food & Friends. “Being named Best Nonprofit, along with the incredible honor for our signature event, Chef’s Best, and the outstanding work of our volunteer program, is a testament to the community that supports us every day—our staff, volunteers, chefs, donors, and the clients we serve. We are grateful and inspired to keep growing our impact.”
This year, Food & Friends will deliver over 1.8 million medically tailored meals to neighbors living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, heart failure, and other life-challenging illnesses—completely free of charge. At the core of this mission are the more than 4,400 volunteers who give their time to pack and deliver meals, support daily operations, and help bring major events like Chef’s Best to life.
“Our volunteers are the lifeblood of Food & Friends,” said Katrina Mathis, Director of Volunteer Services. “We are neighbors helping neighbors. To be voted Best Place to Volunteer by the community for four years straight is such a powerful affirmation of what we already know—when people come through our doors to give their time, they leave feeling connected, valued, and part of something bigger than themselves.”
The Chef’s Best Dinner & Auction is one of D.C.’s most celebrated culinary events, drawing more than 30 top chefs from across the region and 900 guests for an unforgettable evening of food and philanthropy.
“Chef’s Best is a celebration of what’s possible when generosity meets great food,” said Joe Maloney, Chair of the Board’s Fundraising Committee. “It’s more than a fundraiser—it’s a celebration of the power of our community when we come together to help support our neighbors who need us the most. Being recognized as the Best Charity Event in D.C. is a huge reflection of the passion of top chefs in the region and the longstanding commitment of our supporters”
To learn more about volunteering, attending Chef’s Best, or supporting the work of Food & Friends, visit www.foodandfriends.org.
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About Food & Friends
Food & Friends is the Washington region’s leading authority on “Food is Medicine” and the only community-based organization delivering medically tailored meals and providing medical nutrition therapy to neighbors living with cancer, HIV/AIDS, and other serious illnesses. Food & Friends’ services are free of charge to recipients who qualify solely based on their health status and nutritional needs, including for their dependents and caregivers. Monday-Saturday, staff and volunteers deliver to 6,172 square miles including the District of Columbia, nine counties in Maryland, and seven counties and six independent cities in Virginia. Since 1988, Food & Friends has delivered more than 30 million meals to 47,000 individuals. The organization is accredited by the national Food is Medicine Coalition.
For more information, visit FoodAndFriends.org or on Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.