People's Choice Voting Opens For D.C. Sustainability Awards

WASHINGTON, DC — The D.C. Department of Energy and Environment opened voting Monday for the people’s choice award for sustainability in the District of Columbia.

The finalists, DC Central Kitchen, Grid Alternatives of Mid-Atlantic and Goodwill of Greater Washington, are among the entities recognized for making the District a more sustainable place to live.

The winner will be announced at the virtual District Sustainability Awards on April 28 at 4 p.m. Along with presenting the “People’s Choice” award, the event will celebrate local community leaders, nonprofit organizations and private businesses.

D.C. Department of Energy and Environment Director Tommy Wells will host the event, which will feature a keynote address by Dr. Gabrielle Tayac, a member of the Piscataway Indian Nation and an associate professor of Public History at George Mason University.

DC Central Kitchen, a nonprofit group, works to combat hunger and poverty through job training and job creation. The nonprofit serves scratch-cooked farm-to-school meals in D.C. schools, delivers fresh produce to corner stores in D.C. neighborhoods without supermarkets, and operates a cafe.

GRID Alternatives Mid-Atlantic began operating in D.C. in 2014 with the goal of making solar energy and solar jobs more accessible for low-to-moderate-income communities and communities of color. GRID Mid-Atlantic has provided no-cost solar energy for families and job training opportunities for those who would otherwise face challenges attaining the experience required by many solar employers.

Goodwill of Greater Washington operates a chain of retail stores, custodial services, pest control and grounds maintenance operations. In downtown D.C., Goodwill also operates an adult charter school called The Goodwill Excel, a school that offers high school diplomas at no charge to District residents.

Visit the People’s Choice Award website to vote on your pick for the award. The deadline for voting is Monday, April 19.