Watch an Exclusive Welcome from Keynote Speaker Robert Egger!
The Georgia Center for Nonprofits is pleased to welcome Robert Egger as the keynote speaker at the 2008 Georgia Nonprofit Summit.
Robert Egger began his career managing and booking bands at Childe Harold, a Washington, D.C. nightclub. While joining his wife in a church-led service project to feed the homeless, Robert was struck with the fact that while they were doing good, they were doing nothing to help the people get out of their current situation. Thus began the concept for the D.C. Central Kitchen, which has now distributed over 17 million meals and helped more than 620 men and women gain full-time employment.
The Kitchen began its first phase of operations on January 20, 1989, redistributing the excess food from the Presidential inauguration to those in need. In the past 18 years, Robert Egger has transformed the Kitchen into a $5 million annual operation, which hauls in nearly two tons of food per day and converts it into 4,500 meals that are delivered to partner agencies in the D.C. area that serve seniors, kids, shelters and recovery/addiction programs.
Robert affirms that D.C. Central Kitchen is not a ‘soup kitchen.’ His cohesive approach to solving the interconnected problems of poverty, hunger and homelessness has led the organization to become a nationally-recognized leader in the field. Not only does the Kitchen recycle waste and create nutritious meals for the homeless, but it also provides jobs and life skills to move these men and women out of poverty.
Robert has also branched out beyond the bounds of traditional charity. In his book, Begging for Change, he discusses the concept of a Nonprofit Congress, which brought hundreds of nonprofit colleagues to Washington, D.C. in 2006 to find common ground for the nonprofit sector. He is currently in New Hampshire with the Primary Project, working with local nonprofits to ensure that candidates for the 2008 presidential election gain critical insights into the needs of the sector and the potential partnership for a collective vision for America.
Robert continues to focus his skills on using the existing ingredients of society to strengthen bodies, empower minds and build communities.
 Listen to a special interview with Robert Egger!
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