The Kentlands Bar Crawl, an event that began over 20 years ago, has grown to attract more than 150 participants this year and raised $1,720 for Feed the Fridge in 2024. This year, the event returns on April 5th to benefit The Rainbow Place Shelter.
Rainbow Place is an emergency shelter dedicated to supporting women at the beginning of their transition out of homelessness. Their primary focus is to ensure the safety of the women they serve during the harsh winter months and to assist them in moving towards stable housing.
Kristin Johnston, one of the newer organizers who joined original organizers Sue Kravitz and Debbie Freedman, shared that last year’s event raised $860, which was generously matched by Feed the Fridge founders Mark and Amy Bucher, bringing the total to $1,720.
Feed the Fridge aims to combat hunger by providing nourishment while supporting local restaurants. The initiative involves placing refrigerators throughout the D.C. metro area and paying local restaurants to fill them with fresh meals daily. They also deliver holiday meals to seniors who are unable to leave their homes. Originally conceived as a short-term response to the pandemic, the founders have recognized their vital role in addressing hunger and transforming “food insecurity” into “meal security.”
In 2023, the Kentlands Bar Crawl raised $800 for Comfort Cases and collected over 50 pairs of new pajamas for children in need. This year’s participating venues included Vasili’s, Burton’s, Dog Haus, Cinco De Mayo, Vine Alley, and Brews & Barrels. Additional information can be found in the flyer below.
