One million meals a day. It seems impossible, but it’s not. It’s just amazing.
Dear friends,
It’s been 173 days since Russia escalated attacks on Ukraine… 173 days that families, children, the elderly, have lived under constant bombing of their homes, at train stations, just walking down the street.
World Central Kitchen arrived within 24 hours of the invasion of Ukraine at Medyka, a busy border crossing into Poland. We saw Ukrainians fleeing home in fear for their lives, coming with just a bag of clothes and making the journey through the middle of the night in cold, freezing temperatures of February.
Quickly our team realized we needed to support not only families leaving the country in search of safety, but also those who remained in Ukraine. Many incredibly brave people have stayed to support, while many cannot leave–it’s difficult for seniors, people with disabilities, or those who don’t own cars or have the means to escape, so World Central Kitchen committed to standing next to Ukrainians in the fight to feed the hungry. Before I even entered the country, we started to build a network of chefs and restaurants working tirelessly to feed their communities.
I am so proud and humbled at what our response in Ukraine has become… thousands of Ukrainians feeding Ukrainians everyday. Almost 140 million meals served so far! And I am so proud of YOU, World Central Kitchen supporters who have given so much to fuel this effort.
With this, I must be honest to everyone who has made our response in Ukraine possible. As warm months turn into winter, the situation in Ukraine is going to get very difficult. Damaged infrastructure has left communities with no heat, no access to food, and in need of our support… and there are very few humanitarian aid organizations left here on the ground. Serving 1 million meals a day, every day is expensive, and so if you are able, I am asking for your support to help us continue cooking.
We must continue to stand with and be here for the brave people of Ukraine, not only for their freedom but for freedom around the world. And from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you have done so far… I have seen in my time here the impact this work is having on families, mothers, children, and I am so grateful.
José Andrés
We can walk and chew gum at the same time, right?
You can give Chef José at the thermometer below. If you want to donate only to Chef Jose, be sure to adjust the split BEFORE you add your dollar amount.
Nevada, Here We Come!
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
He and the whole WCK team are absolute heroes.
pat
So I gave $100 to Chef Jose and $25 to each of the other four.
$200 in all.
(I just made $150 playing flute duets at a Celebration of Life on Saturday. Glad to be able to send it on to good causes.)
SiubhanDuinne
@Alison Rose 💙🌻💛:
They certainly are! And yet, Chef José still has the time and the wit to troll Dr. Crudité Oz on healthful, economical grocery shopping!
Jay C
Contribution put in.
And knowing the money is going to WCK is a good feeling.
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
@SiubhanDuinne: Because in addition to a hero, he’s hilarious :)
catclub
I have given to them.
Gin & Tonic
Chef José is very generous when he says “very few international aid organizations.” Aside from MSF and WCK I can’t think of another that is having any noticeable positive impact in Ukraine at all.
WaterGirl
@pat: Nice of you to use your flute-playing money that way!
pat
@WaterGirl:
When I play “special music” at the Congregational Church, I always ask them to donate the “honorarium” to their school or to the Salvation Army.
BTW, I only go to church with my flute. Heh.
WaterGirl
@pat: What a great thing to do, if you can afford it!
Personally, I won’t give a dime to the Salvation Army anymore because they are so anti-gay. And I always tell them that when they ask for money.
WaterGirl
I like to think that in grade school – when kids have to write an essay or give a speech about a hero – that some kinds are writing about and talking about José Andrés.
pat
@WaterGirl:
I did not know that. Here they run a thrift shop of old clothes etc. Actually it is such a mess that I take mine to the Women’s Clothes Closet at a local Lutheran church.
My favorite local charity is the food pantry…not run by the Army. They just purchased an older grocery store and are renovating it. They also have a mobile truck that takes food to people who can’t get to the store.
Alison Rose 💙🌻💛
@pat: The organization has tried to distance itself in recent years from their anti-LGBTQ past, and claims that they don’t discriminate, but it’s mostly CYA and many of their top people still espouse homophobic and transphobic views. Even if an individual location is run by decent people, personally I would choose somewhere else to give money.
WaterGirl
@pat: Yeah, here they run the thrift shop, too. But nationally they also hate on the gays. sigh.
la caterina
I love Chef Jose. I put my whole donation to WCK.
Madeleine
Just donated to WCK. They’re in Ukraine doing the work. And I like the way they work with the local food providers.
Avalie
Added a bit
xjmuellerlurks
I’m cheap AF but I gave some to World Central Kitchen. They do good work.