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Michelle Obama serves lunch at Washington soup kitchen
Michelle Obama spent part of her lunch hour on Thursday scooping mushroom risotto for homeless men and women at a soup kitchen a few blocks from the White House.
The First Lady surprised diners by serving up lunch at Miriam's Kitchen, in the basement of the Western Presbyterian Church in Foggy Bottom, which has been serving warm meals to the homeless for 26 years.
As she served guests at the kitchen, Mrs Obama said that she hoped to set an example for other potential volunteers. Acknowledging that the need for free meals has risen in the midst of the economic downturn, she said Americans should focus on community service. If people could not afford to donate food or money, they should donate time instead, she said.
''There is a moment in time when each and every one of us needs a helping hand,'' she said after leaving the serving station. ''Miriam's Kitchen has become a place where so many people have been able to find that helping hand.''
The fruit salad served along with the risotto, steamed broccoli, apple-carrot muffins and whole wheat rolls was prepared with fresh fruit donated by the White House. Eight cases were sent over, enough to make Thursday's salad and be used at breakfast for two weeks, said Scott Schenkelberg, executive director of Miriam's Kitchen.