The Ben’s Chili Bowl Foundation was founded to be of service to the neighborhoods in which we work and live.
We value being able to give back as part of a legacy that begins in 1958 with the founders of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Ben and Virginia Ali.
REad an excerpt!
Virginia Ali: The Matriarch of DC
Chapter Six: Value count more than money
“In 2020, the pandemic shut down Ben’s, but Ben’s did not turn into itself…Ben’s did the opposite of most reactions. The restaurant went into the community to help ease the pain of the pandemic. Although the restaurant was closed, Ben’s found another mission during one of our country’s most tragic events.
Ben’s Foundation served free lunches to first responders such as police, fire, EMTs, and nurses on the frontlines. In 2020, 5,100 lunches were served to local first responders. The Foundation raised $64K among its friends and regular customers to provide free lunches. Ben’s went out to its community in very dangerous times. And the community responded, continuing to come to Ben’s when the restaurant reopened.”
