S OME (So Others Might Eat) is an interfaith, community-based organization that exists to help the poor and homeless of our nation’s capital. We meet the immediate daily needs of the people we serve with food, clothing, and health care. We help break the cycle of homelessness by offering services, such as affordable housing, job training, addiction treatment, and counseling, to the poor, the elderly and individuals with mental illness. Each day, SOME is restoring hope and dignity one person at a time. We invite you to join us.

The Need

There are 8,350 homeless men, women and children in our nation’s capital. Nearly one in five DC residents live at or below the poverty line.

Success Stories

With SOME’s support, thousands of people have transformed their lives, lifted themselves out of poverty, and are now living productive, meaningful lives in our community. You can read and hear some of their inspiring stories on our Success Stories page.

In 2016, with the help of caring supporters, SOME provided:

• 388,213 meals served in our Dining Rooms and in our residential programs.
• 14,546 free sets of clothing and 10,941 showers to homeless men and women.
• 8,493 visits to a doctor or dentist in our Medical and Dental Clinics.
• Emergency housing for 19 abused and neglected elderly.
• Support and care to 204 homeless adults with chronic mental illness at Isaiah House.
• Comprehensive addiction recovery services, including a 90-day residential treatment program, to 241 men and women.
• 152 homeless and extremely low-income adult students with intensive job training. On average, SOME CET students earned $13.74 per hour. In 2016, 95 students graduated and 81% of graduates were placed in living-wage jobs.
• Safe, affordable housing for 146 families with 336 children, as well as 543 single adults.

Our History

In 1970, Father Horace McKenna, S.J. and an interfaith group of priests, ministers, and lay persons founded So Others Might Eat to help feed the city’s destitute citizens.

After several years, SOME’s founders saw needs beyond what the small soup kitchen could provide and began delivering additional services to support and nourish the neediest of our residents.

Today, SOME offers comprehensive programs that meet a full spectrum of needs while giving a sense of dignity to the poor and homeless of the District of Columbia.
SOME Timeline

Our Values

• We value an interfaith approach of service to our brothers and sisters in need and welcome the assistance of all concerned persons.
• We value empowering the people we serve by respecting their human dignity and by helping them to restore hope in their lives.
• We value advocacy on behalf of the poor in collaborative partnerships to address the root causes of homelessness, hunger and poverty.
• We value responsible stewardship of the resources provided by our donors, volunteers and employees.