Bren + Friends Serve
Welcome to our 9th annual Christmas Day of Service!
The holiday season is upon us, and with it comes an opportunity to make a real difference. We are thrilled to announce the 9th Annual Bren + Friends Serve Christmas Day of Service, a cherished tradition where we come together to support our unhoused and underserved neighbors in the DC-area. Each year, our day of service is a huge success because of YOU — our dedicated volunteers, sponsors and donors. In 2023, we cooked up and served a record 1,200 meals, our biggest impact yet! It is a true blessing to be in service and are excited to be doing it all over again! With you!
This event is a true labor of love—rooted in empathy, compassion, and the unwavering belief that everyone deserves to feel seen, valued, and supported during the holidays. Each year, we’ve witnessed the incredible impact of this day, from the warm meals shared to the connections made and the hope restored.
To address the ever-growing need to SEE our fellow community members, we are so very excited to continue growing and blessing our community with food, care and love on a day so many of us are privileged to enjoy at home with our loved ones.
None of this would be possible without you, our amazing volunteers and sponsors. Your time, generosity, and contributions are the heartbeat of this mission, and we can’t wait to partner with you again as we hit the streets to serve those who need it most.
This year, ‘Bren + Friends’ is happy to commit to 1,200 hot meals!
That means we need your support!
This year will go much like year’s past: We’ll be set up and serving at three different parks in the city, feeding different sectors and ensuring we invite a feeling of inclusion and a sense of community!
How We Started
My family and I started the tradition of cooking warm, home-cooked meals and distributing them to the homeless community and those in need in D.C. on Christmas Day years ago (first when I was a child and then in 2010, which led to today), in an effort to teach the kids in the family that Christmas is about celebrating the life of Christ and service; not about a wishlist and gifts.
In 2016, I rallied my parents, siblings and a few friends and we set out to the cold and empty streets on Christmas Day. We set up at Franklin Square Park and served 200 hot meals.
In 2018 I decided to expand our service to Columbia Heights and DuPont circle. We served 500 meals in 2018 and 2019. We also started handing out coats, hats, new socks, shoes and anything else, lightly worn, that our volunteers could gather.
The pandemic taught us we are are resilient and deeply committed to serve, no matter what.
Today, we are fully equipped to provide our services to our beloved community.
Our Goal
Our target goal this year is $10,000 and we need your help! Our volunteers do a lot of the physical labor on the day of, but we need to make all of cooking happen in an efficient and safe manner. Please consider making a donation in any amount you are able.
Please read below for information on each day we need assistance. If you are signing up as a volunteer, you will receive via email specific details on volunteering on the 23rd and on Christmas Day.
If you are interested in volunteering, please sign up via this Google Doc.
Join Bren + Friends for an afternoon of service and merriment!
With gratitude, holiday cheer and always in service,
Bren-
DONATE BELOW!💛
Get Involved. You can help us make a difference!
Our organization serves thousands of families and children every year. We are able to grow and have lasting impact through the kindness and generosity of sponsors, partners, and volunteers. We look forward to you getting involved!
Mission Statement
The Bren Herrera Foundation empowers marginalized communities in the Washington, D.C.-area, by providing essential resources, advocacy, and programs that promote dignity, equity, and lasting impact.