Stories of Hope | A Message from José

 

Friends –    In the worst moments, the very best of humanity shows up. I see it over and over again after disasters, in the middle of war… I have just returned from being in Gaza where I was with the World Central Kitchen team and our partners in the most difficult and dire circumstances. Everywhere I went from kitchens to camps where families are now having to be living, I saw people do everything they can to help family, neighbors, total strangers. Every time a crisis hits, people they immediately become like superheroes. So while the situations WCK works in are challenging, emotional, and often angering, time and again we witness hope, through the actions of the many, above all.      WCK only works because of these superheroes—someone in a small Ukrainian village near the Russian border cooking for seniors unable to leave, a community in Morocco collectively carrying injured individuals to safety after an earthquake, farmers on Maui who didn’t wait for help to arrive before distributing their produce following a devastating fire, and in Gaza where we’re working with an incredible woman lovingly referred to as “Power Mama” who’s opened her home to as many people displaced as will fit inside. This endless care for humanity is what makes the world work. It’s what keeps us going—when the feelings of despair inevitably creep in, the light of humanity shines through and turns into hope for a better future.    So, as the year comes to a close, we want to thank you for being with us, for believing in humanity. It’s your support and trust that means World Central Kitchen can be there—this year alone serving 100 million meals in 18 countries—with the everyday superheroes, whenever we’re needed.    With gratitude,  José Andrés Scroll through our interactive map and join us as we celebrate the people who make our work possible. For the best experience, view on a computer, tablet, or rotate your phone. Support our work here.