Stefanie writes: "The four of us piled into one of Martha's Table's vans and set out to distribute dinner to folks at two locations in downtown DC. The weather was extremely cold that night, so it was gratifying to be able to provide them with some hot soup, along with sandwiches, desert, and juice.  Not only was it a great experience, but it also reminded me of the stark contrasts one finds in DC's downtown district.  At both stops, the lines of hungry and homeless individuals in need of a nutritious meal were striking when looking at the drop-off locations. The first stop was a block from the White House, and the second was across the street from the headquarters of the World Bank.  There we were, looking squarely at two of the most powerful institutions in the country -- and right in their front yards are ubiquitous examples of absolute destitution and poverty.  It was a powerful reminder that our work is never done, and no matter what our personal circumstances may be, there are so many out there who need our help badly. From a personal perspective, helping those around us who are less fortunate than ourselves is nothing less than an societal imperative. Alex, Kathryn, Bianca, and I truly cherished our time volunteering for Martha's Table that night, and plans are in the works for the four of us to continue helping out with their food distribution efforts on a regular basis."