By Richard White

Washington

For John McDermott, being homeless in the shadow of the White House and the U.S. Capitol can be a cruel existence.

But for the past two years, he has found a source of warmth—Miriam's Kitchen, a social-services agency that provides food and other services to the homeless in Washington.

“The city's progressing, but they're leaving the poor behind," Mr. McDermott says. "When you're out there in the rain and snow, Miriam's Kitchen is something that gives you relaxation."

Miriam's Kitchen, like many agencies that serve the poor, has seen demand for its services rise considerably during the past two years, as the poor economy has put more people out of work, and onto the streets.

We recently spent a day behind the scenes at the bustling Miriam's Kitchen, watching the chefs and an army of volunteers prepare the morning meal. View the video below to see what we found.