The 2011 Summer Fancy Food Show -- "North America’s Largest Specialty Food & Beverage Event," which features 180,000 products from 2,400 exhibitors and 80 countries -- is in full swing at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. But what happens with all the leftovers once the Show is over? D.C. Central Kitchen is hoping to give most of it a good home. more ›

Team DCist is feeling mighty fine about the awesome artwork we left on the walls at Browne Education Campus as part of Saturday's Servathon. more ›

Today is your final chance to register for Servathon 2011, the annual region-wide service day commencing that will take place this Saturday morning. Team DCist will join other groups in giving the Browne Education Campus -- a Pre-K through 8th grade school in Carver/Langston -- an upgraded look, painting the walls and otherwise beautifying the school. more ›

Time is running out to be a part of Team DCist in Servathon 2011. We've gotten word from Browne Education Campus that they need a few more volunteers to finish all the good work they have for us at their school on April 16, and it isn't too late to for you to register and join us. The registration deadline is Monday, April 11. more ›

We're off and running with our Servathon 2011 registration. As of Wednesday morning, nine people have registered with Team DCist and we've raised $305 to support Greater DC Cares. It's a nice start. But nice isn't good enough. We're striving to be, uh, really nice. Sign up now and be our 10th or 20th painter. Spots are limited, so quit your dawdling. more ›

With another successful Exposed opening in the books, DCist can now turn our focus to one of our favorite parts of spring. Join Team DCist on Saturday, April 16, as we volunteer during Greater DC Cares' Servathon 2011! We'll be sprucing up the Browne Education Campus in the Carver/Langston neighborhood, just east of Trinidad and the Atlas District, painting the school in vibrant colors to give "a comprehensive new look to instill pride in its students and to make students, staff and visitors to feel welcome and energized as soon as they walk through the school doors." more ›

I was taken aback while reading this short interview with Mark Buscaino, the executive director of Casey Trees, a nonprofit that plants and protects trees around the District. When asked if Washington needed more trees, Buscaino said that "by 2035, we need to be planting about 8,600 trees per year." more ›

Today is your deadline, last chance, final day, to be part of Team DCist at Saturday's Servathon 2010. We'll be cleaning the streets of Petworth and Columbia Heights in the morning, then celebrating at the Servathon afterparty. We're also getting awesome Servathon t-shirts that say Team DCist on them. DCist has the largest team in the event -- our 47th participant helped us eclipse Team DHS this morning! And there is still space for a few more people to join us on our project. more ›

The annual Greater DC Cares Servathon is right around the corner, and DCist will once again be fielding a dedicated team of volunteers (and fundraisers!). Won't you join us? more ›

"There are two things that I hear from everyone who visits," said Ed Spitzberg, the Sitar Arts Center's Executive Director. "They say, 1. 'Wow, what a wonderful place,' and 2. 'I never knew this was here.'" more ›

Fox 5 reminds us that the deadline to apply to be a volunteer at one of the many presidential inauguration festivities, celebrations and ceremonies is tonight at midnight. The Presidential Inauguration Committee needs as many as 18,000 volunteers for the several days surrounding Jan. 20, though be warned that 60,000 people have reportedly already signed up for the spots. Still, the volunteer application form makes it pretty plain that the PIC favors those folks who live in the area and won't have transportation issues, are familiar with the city, and have previous volunteer experience -- all prerequisites we're sure DCist readers have in spades. Just make sure to fill out the form by midnight, and keep your fingers crossed that you'll be one of those selected. You won't get to pick your assignment, but you will get a meal, a commemorative volunteer credential, and a red hat. more ›

Volunteer Opportunities: With school starting in two weeks, we figure it’s a good time to highlight some of the ways to get involved and support local students. Most volunteer programs are actively recruiting for the fall, and there’s really something for everyone, from mentoring to coaching to sharing your inner-geek as an after-school technology teacher. A few opportunities are featured below, and feel free to make additional suggestions in the comments. more ›