Gilford served as General Contractor for the construction of the new Food and Friends headquarters. This community service organization, founded in 1989, provides home-delivered, freshly-prepared meals, groceries, and friendship to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other serious illnesses. Chefs and registered dieticians design meals that meet special dietary needs and additionally provide nutrition counseling. Services are confidential and free to individuals and families in Washington, DC as well as parts of Maryland and Virginia.

The 25,000 square foot two-story, pre-engineered building was constructed on a 2.5-acre site at 219 Riggs Road, N.E. and features a 6,000 sf food service preparation kitchen plus walk-in refrigeration units and food storage areas. Other space usage includes administrative offices as well as education/training areas for the many volunteers that help make Food & Friends’ services possible. The facility enables preparation and delivery of at least 3,000 meals a day (approximately two million meals each year).