During most of the year, members of the Congressional Vegetarian Staff Association must scrounge around for the few, non-animal-born scraps dining purveyors such as Capitol Hill contractor Restaurant Associates sparingly — and sometimes, begrudgingly — dish out to diet-conscious staffers.  

Not this week.  

D.C.’s fourth annual Meat-Free promotion is taking place from Feb. 3 through Feb. 10. The District-wide celebration of “green” living features daily eating, drinking and networking events for those who adhere to a plant-based lifestyle.  

The festivities include:

• BBQ Kick-Off at Sticky Fingers Bakery (1370 Park Road NW): the award-winning eatery is rolling out its special barbecue platter — $15 for barbecue seitan, vegan slaw, corn bread and string bean casserole — on Monday night. The deal, along with special half-price beer and wine offerings, will remain in place all week.
• Compassion Over Killing Benefit Day at Soupergirl (314 Carroll St. NW):  slurping artisan soups helps nourish a nationwide cause, with a portion of all sales on Feb. 4 (and the first Tuesday of every month, moving forward) flowing through to the animal advocacy campaign.
• Happy Hour at Elizabeth’s Gone Raw (1341 L St. NW): enjoy discounted organic wines, beers and small plates from 5:30-9 p.m.  RSVP via Facebook.
• A Vegan Meal at Miriam’s Kitchen (2401 Virginia Ave. NW): the vegan community is urged to help provide a healthy dinner for the area’s homeless on Feb. 7. Donations welcome.
• Meat-Free Week Brunch at Todd Gray’s Muse (500 17th St. NW): feast on an all-you-can-eat, gourmet brunch whilst drinking in the beauty of the collected works displayed within the Corcoran Gallery of Art. Brunch runs from 12:30-2 p.m.; $10 donation to Compassion Over Killing shaves $5 off the brunch bill and scores contributors a free mimosa. Reservations (220-639-1786) recommended.

CVSA leader Adam Sarvana told HOH several members have expressed interest in participating as widely and as frequently as possible, work permitting.  

“A group of us is going to Sticky Fingers together on Monday night,” Sarvana suggested, adding that, “Sticky Fingers has been great to us and we want to show them some love in return.”  

“Besides, their food is delicious,” he asserted.