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2012 Giving Back

As we move into 2013 there is much to reflect on and be grateful for.  2012 was a big year for at Takorean.  We expanded to our first fixed-location establishment at the new artisanal Union Market.  With this growth Takorean has been able to hire more employees, and now we have a solid team who I am tremendously grateful for.

With this new expansion we are also able to provide even more to DC nonprofit organizations!  I am proud to announce that more than 1% of Takorean’s 2012 sales were donated to DC Greenworks and DC Central Kitchen (DCCK).

Born and raised, this place has a special place in my heart, which is why I am always thrilled to learn about organizations that concentrate on improving, maintaining, and preserving the local environment.  DC Greenworks is a progressive organization that seeks to empower residents and neighborhood groups to restore and preserve their communities by providing training, tools, and technologies that utilize, advance, and protect the environment.   They reach these goals by focusing on conserving and reusing our rainwater.  DC Greenworks uses living materials to build green roofs, green walls and rain gardens, as well as rain barrels and cisterns for rainwater capture.  Other initiatives of DC Greenworks are partnering with local schools, urban agriculture, design and construction services for Low Impact Development (LID) projects, and green job training.

I continue to be extremely impressed by DDCK the more I learn from my peers and their events.  I believe DCCK is a perfect example of how a non-profit can operate successfully in the commercial arena by providing job training and long lasting opportunities for unemployed men and women.  Each day 5,000 meals are distributed at little or no cost to 100 nearby homeless shelters, transitional homes and nonprofit organizations, saving them money and nourishing their clients.  Support from Takorean enabled DCCK to purchase a load of local Virginia winter crops – 100 bushels of sweet potatoes (4,000 lbs.) and 100 bushels of collard greens (1,800 lbs.) – which made up for 16,580 servings!

I look forward to hearing about the positive work that DC Greenworks and DC Central Kitchen continue to accomplish in 2013!  I also encourage more business to give back to the community as the efforts and energy of the private sector can tremendously improve the livelihoods of those who are less fortunate and deserve an equal chance.

May this New Year bring all peace, happiness and prosperity!
- Mike Lenard