Among the very first meals served at N Street Village were baked potatoes. Simple, warm, and nourishing—a humble beginning shaped by the belief that healing can start with something as small as a shared meal.
That same spirit continues today in a vibrant, intentional food program rooted in community and care. Every woman is welcome. Every meal is prepared from scratch, with a balance of protein, vegetables, and starch. Nutrition feeds the body; nourishment helps us feel whole. Each plate served at Bethany Day Center is designed to offer both.
For many women, the act of choosing what to eat is deeply meaningful. At the Village’s Day Center, meals are served with options—an approach that honors personal preference, culture, and comfort.
“That choice is special because a lot of times people in different situations don’t have a lot of choices,” one woman shared. “Being able to have a choice over something, even that simple, is really meaningful.”
Chef Angela Knuckles, who leads the program, invites women to help shape the menu. Once, the kitchen prepared a lasagna based on a recipe a client developed in a nutrition class. “When we ask for their input,” says Chef Angela, “we’re saying: Your comfort matters. Your voice matters. You deserve to be at the table.”
Consistent, nourishing meals are transformative. One woman who worked with Chef Angela on her nutrition saw her health improve so significantly that she no longer needed insulin. Another woman, Linda, described arriving at the Village after spending months in an environment where food was scarce and processed. “All of a sudden, I was a person again,” she said. “I was Linda again.”
The Village complements daily meals with weekly classes that teach women everything from knife safety and simple cooking techniques to nutrition label reading and meal planning on a budget.
As needs grow across the community, this work remains as vital as ever. The team continues to navigate rising food costs, with inflation driving up prices and forcing the Village to stretch resources. At the same time, the number of women relying on meals at the Village has grown from approximately 70 women each day a year ago to 100 women this year. During some periods, that daily number can climb to more than 125 women. Even so, the Village remains determined to keep the kitchen open, prepare nutritious meals, and have a seat at the table waiting for every woman who walks through the doors.