Through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program, local Owner-Operators Andrew Smith and Kristen McCray have donated nearly 20,000 meals since 2020, supporting Charlie’s Place.
In the heart of Washington, D.C., caring for the community starts with showing up for neighbors when they need it most. For Charlie’s Place, a dedicated drop-in center providing essential support and hot meals to individuals experiencing homelessness and hardship, that care is delivered daily through dignity, connection, and nourishment.
For Executive Director Reggie Cox, the center’s mission is deeply personal. Years before guiding the organization’s outreach, Reggie arrived at Charlie’s Place seeking help during a pivotal moment of hardship. “Around 2012 or 2013, I became unhoused and found myself living on the streets. I was hungry, and I came to Charlie’s Place for a meal. The food was great, and I eventually started volunteering, never imagining it would turn into a job opportunity. I first walked through these doors unhoused, and today, I’m the Executive Director,” Reggie shared.
Today, that lived experience drives the nonprofit’s compassionate approach to hunger relief. Meeting the community’s needs requires strong local collaboration, and Charlie’s Place finds vital support through two neighboring Chick-fil-A® restaurants.
Local Owner-Operators Andrew Smith (Chick-fil-A Dupont In-Line) and Kristen McCray (Chick-fil-A Tenleytown In-Line) partner with the organization through the Chick-fil-A Shared Table® program. About twice a week in the mornings, team members package surplus food from their kitchens, which Charlie’s Place picks up to serve directly to guests.
Since establishing the partnership in 2020, Smith and McCray have contributed nearly 20,000 surplus meals. Because Charlie’s Place sits geographically between the two restaurants, the Operators are able to create a unified network of care across the northern and southern corridors of the district.
“We’re stronger together because, through both of our restaurants, we’re able to make an even greater impact. Charlie’s Place sits between our two communities, allowing me to serve from the southern end and Kristen from the northern end. Together, we’re able to support more of the community we share.”
— Andrew Smith, Local Owner-Operator, Chick-fil-A Dupont In-Line
By turning surplus food into meals, this collaborative effort ensures that quality ingredients support vital community work rather than going to waste. For local leaders like Cox and the Operators who support him, the program reflects a shared commitment to meeting neighbors where they are and uplifting the D.C. community one meal at a time.
