Sustainable Sustenance: Motiv visits DC Central Kitchen

Those of you who follow this blog know that we’re big fans of food, social innovation, and giving back to our community. A few weeks ago we were able to combine these passions by taking a team field trip to the DC Central Kitchen (DCCK) and learn about their innovative approach to philanthropy. You know, its not all work and no play around here.

 

Motiv listens attentively to Brian MacNair, Chief Development Officer of DCCK. //Photo: Motiv/Ian Campbell

Thanks to Brian MacNair and the team at DCCK, DC is a better place. Instead of ending up back in jail, people are ending up in behind the stove. But before if you think this is just a well-run soup kitchen? Think again.

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Steve Jobs: Capitalist or Philanthropist?

Sometimes you read a blog post and it captures an argument so thoughfully that you can’t really top it. That’s how I felt when I read a recent post by Dan Pallotta, an expert in nonprofit sector innovation.

Pallotta critiques a 2006 Wired article that slams former Apple CEO Steve Jobs for being a “single-minded capitalist” due to his failure to donate significant sums of his wealth to good causes based on publically available lists [note that this article does acknowledge the possibility that he gives anonymously].

Pallotta argues rather than counting his contributions to the world in terms of the dollars he has donated, we should instead focus on the amazing innovations he has brought to market through Apple. Thanks to Jobs, we have computers that don’t crash, and smartphones and tablets that open up access to information on the go –many of which are making differences to lives through their use by doctors, aid workers, charity leaders, social workers, students, and so on (not to mention innovation consultants!).

While some argue that Jobs should have spent more time giving away his wealth over the last years, Jobs apparently felt he could do more good by doing what he does best, and expanding Apple.

To read Pallotta’s original post, click here.