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Known for years as So Others Might Eat, the non-profit has served on the frontlines of fighting poverty and homelessness in the nation鈥檚 capital since 1970.听听
It serves 800 meals听daily, every day of the year.鈥�听
And, like millions of Americans these days, SOME is fighting inflation.听
That鈥檚听one of the biggest challenges confronting Troy Swanda, who became CEO earlier this year after a quarter-century with the organization.听
鈥淵eah, absolutely,鈥� said Swanda during an interview听for听the Leadership in Action series.鈥�听
鈥淭he higher food prices have a big impact,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e’re听very fortunate听to have such generous donors of the organization and people that help us provide those meals, but certainly听there’s听a budget impact. Every time that food costs increase, it means, you know, potentially doing something else less.鈥�听
Swanda has regular team meetings, often breaks bread with colleagues and hosts town hall meetings on video so everyone feels seen and heard.听
There鈥檚听also the annual chili cook-off,听a popular way听for his team to bond and have fun.听
鈥淲e’re fortunate to have such a great mission,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e’re lucky in the D.C. market to have such a talented workforce. You know,听it’s听highly educated. There听are听people that come to this area to try to make a difference, and听we’re听able to tap into that听employee base. But听I think people听come for the mission, and then I think once they see how valuable their efforts are for the work that听we’re听doing.听That’s听why they stay.鈥�听
With more than 300 employees, the organization also offers mental health programs, substance abuse programs and housing.听
At the core of running a successful organization and keeping听a听team听happy? Training.听
鈥淲e’ve really done well over the years, and I think it’s one of the keys to success,鈥澨齋wanda听said. 鈥淲e have听again听the ability to grow there, but we invest in trainings听and making sure that people have their continuing education.鈥澨�听
Going forward, Swanda is already busy planning for 2027 and the next half-decade. Even if prices go up听2 percent, he said,听that鈥檚听a big jump for his organization.听
鈥淭here’s a lot of uncertainty looking ahead that far,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut I think the one thing that we know, it’s unlikely that things are going to go down.鈥濃��听
