World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen WCK is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian and climate crises. Learn more at wck.org.

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises, while working to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served hundreds of millions of nourishing meals around th

e world. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, or emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need. We know that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis.

As first responders rush to rescue people trapped by the flash floods in Nepal, WCK teams are on the ground, working clo...
09/01/2026

As first responders rush to rescue people trapped by the flash floods in Nepal, WCK teams are on the ground, working closely with local partners each day to make sure families going through unimaginable circumstances have something warm to eat. Hear WCK's John speak to CNN about what our teams are seeing on the ground and how the need remains intense: https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/31/tv/video/amanpour-yahia-torpey?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=dhfacebook&utm_content=app.dashsocial.com%2Fworld-central-kitchen%2Flibrary%2Fmedia%2F715755029

During difficult times, joyful celebrations are more important than ever. In honor of Mawlid Al-Nabawi—the Muslim holida...
08/31/2026

During difficult times, joyful celebrations are more important than ever. In honor of Mawlid Al-Nabawi—the Muslim holiday celebrating the birth of the Prophet Muhammad—WCK's teams prepared celebratory sweet treats for community members across Gaza. At our Abnaa Al-Nuseirat community kitchen, families enjoyed sweet potatoes and fresh apple juice. At Kabaja camp, our teams distributed rice pudding to community members.

08/31/2026

WCK and Hopital Albert Schweitzer Haiti Chef Prinvil has dedicated his time to serving members of his community in the lower Artibonite region of Haiti, an area impacted by violence and displacement. He knows that many displaced families in the area have left behind their gardens and livestock, so he puts everything he has into providing comforting meals for them as they navigate this uncertain period of their lives.

08/31/2026

This is what road access looks like in Nepal after the floods.
Over the weekend, with support from Nepal Scouts, a truckload of WCK kitchen supplies arrived at a school in Rasuwa, Nepal—and getting it there took five hours to travel just 7 miles. That's what access looks like in the hardest-hit areas after this week's devastating floods. WCK is setting up a kitchen at the school to prepare meals as close as possible to the families who need them most. And we won't stop; as soon as the truck returned to Kathmandu, it was loaded with equipment for another kitchen.

WCK and Fundación Gastronomía Social (FGS) have been partners across multiple responses—from wildfires in Chile to the e...
08/31/2026

WCK and Fundación Gastronomía Social (FGS) have been partners across multiple responses—from wildfires in Chile to the earthquake that struck western Colombia on August 10. Guided by their mission to "change the world through food," FGS shows up the same way in every crisis: with local knowledge, deep community ties, and the conviction that a meal is about far more than calories. In Cali's Chiminango neighborhood, Gastronomía Social and Chef Corps member Harry Sasson joined us to deliver hot meals to families affected by the earthquake.

"We match with WCK because we both understand that we're delivering more than a plate of food—we're giving a hug and a message to people to let them know they're not alone." – Cristina Botero, FGS Director in Colombia

WCK y la Fundación Gastronomía Social (FGS) hemos sido socios en múltiples respuestas—desde los incendios forestales en Chile hasta el terremoto que golpeó el occidente de Colombia el 10 de agosto. Guiada por su misión de "cambiar el mundo comiendo", FGS se presenta de la misma manera en cada crisis: con conocimiento local, profundos vínculos comunitarios y la convicción de que una comida es mucho más que calorías. En Chiminango, Cali, Gastronomía Social y el miembro del Chef Corps Harry Sasson se unieron a nosotros para entregar comidas calientes a las familias afectadas por el terremoto.

"Hacemos match con WCK porque ambos entendemos que estamos entregando más que un plato de comida—estamos dando un abrazo y un mensaje a las personas para hacerles saber que no están solos." – Cristina Botero, Directora de Gastronomía Social en Colombia

08/30/2026

Karen checks in from Bidur, Nepal to explain evolving conditions and WCK's plan to work our way north and across the river. We will continue providing thousands of meals in Bidur—setting up kitchens and feeding those in need along the way as we press into areas even more isolated by the evolving crisis in northern Nepal.

Take a look at where your support made it possible for WCK to serve meals across the globe this week🌏From Nepal to Gary,...
08/30/2026

Take a look at where your support made it possible for WCK to serve meals across the globe this week🌏

From Nepal to Gary, Indiana, our teams are supporting families impacted by disasters with comforting meals. Because a plate of warm, familiar food in the middle of a crisis can make a world of difference. See where your support helped ensure those meals reached people in need. ⬇️

📍 Nepal: Entire communities have been swept away by flash flooding in northern Nepal, and the need for immediate support is urgent. WCK is on the ground and mobilizing to reach the hardest-hit areas.

📍 Indiana: Families in Gary, Indiana went weeks without power after severe storms, so WCK is working alongside local restaurants and food trucks to make sure hot meals reach everyone who needs them.

📍 Colombia: Despite recent high temperatures in Quibdó, WCK teams in Colombia are showing up and delivering meals from local restaurant partners to families displaced by the earthquake and first responders leading recovery efforts.

📍 Hawaiʻi: WCK teams are working closely with community members and local partners on the southern coast of Hawaiʻi as they recover from Tropical Storm Lala, providing locally-made hot meals as they wait for power to return.

📍 Indonesia: WCK’s local partners are cooking for their communities and serving their neighbors with passion and love, bringing local flavors to families in the aftermath of the earthquake that struck Flores Island.

📍 Venezuela: Behind every meal WCK serves in Venezuela are the local partners who make it possible. They have been showing up for their communities since the earthquakes, serving meals that bring the comforting taste of home to people on the long road to recovery.

📍 Ukraine: WCK supported passengers on 21 trains delayed by five hours or more following Russian attacks across the countries. With our partners at Ukrainian Railways, we provided food and water to people across the rail network to make sure no one waits without food or water.

📍 Gaza: In A-Zawayda, central Gaza, displaced families were forced to move again following recent Israeli strikes. WCK teams arrived to support as they were setting up their new tents, providing bread, hot meals, and new tents for people whose shelters were damaged by the bombardment.

📍 Lebanon: Many of WCK’s team members in Lebanon have been displaced by the conflict, which means they’re cooking for families just like theirs. Despite their losses, they spend every day preparing nourishing meals for their communities.

📍 Haiti: WCK and HAS Haiti teams serve comforting meals every day in areas like Centreville de Verrettes, a community heavily impacted by violence and displacement. Our menus include local favorites like traditionally prepared white rice and beans, just like families would make at home.

📍 Democratic Republic of the Congo: Medical staff at Panzi Hospital in Bukavu are working tirelessly to care for their patients amidst the escalating conflict and Ebola outbreak. WCK is partnering with them to make sure they have the nourishing meals they need to keep doing their vital work.

08/30/2026

A WCK team is providing thousands of meals at evacuation centers near Bidur, Nepal. Here's what Bidur looks like today.

WCK loads a truck alongside our local partner organization Nepal Scouts, who are helping us move north toward the hardes...
08/30/2026

WCK loads a truck alongside our local partner organization Nepal Scouts, who are helping us move north toward the hardest-hit areas — where, so far, we've been providing sandwiches, fruit, and water. This truck, leaving from Bidur, is being stocked with everything needed to set up a kitchen and cook a hot meal of veggie dal and rice from traditional, familiar ingredients.

08/30/2026

Since February of 2022, people from across the world have come together as part of WCK’s efforts supporting the people of Ukraine during the full-scale Russian invasion. We’ve provided more than 300 million nourishing meals to Ukrainian communities, and each plate of food served was a reminder that someone cares.
“This work—every single meal—was prepared with the hands, thoughts, and efforts of so many people who sincerely, sincerely wanted to help others.” Yuliya, WCK Response Director in Ukraine.

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