The IRC and World Central Kitchen, founded by Chef José Andrés, are working together to combat food insecurity in communities hardest hit by COVID-19 and its economic effects.
Chef José Andrés: “When you talk about hunger and thirst you need to be quick. Working side-by-side with IRC, we’re quicker, more effective, faster, more empathy, and that makes an entire difference in how relief is provided.” Across the New York City metro area the IRC and World Central Kitchen have partnered to provide free meals to people most impacted by COVID-19. Jas Verem: “We’re distributing food to senior citizens, homeless, IRC clients, refugees. This site is staffed by refugees. We’re also actually delivering food to refugee clients who cannot come out to the center because they don’t have transportation or they just don’t feel safe.” IRC client: “What gives me hope right now is to see New York coming back to life as it was before. Everyone should have courage. I’m certain that things will turn out alright.” Jas: “Food is this one huge unifier. It kind of cuts across boundaries, it cuts across cultures. Underneath all of this we’re all kind of the same and we want to help each other out.” Chef José Andrés: “IRC and World Central Kitchen, I hope this is the beginning of a beautiful relationship in the years to come, where a plate of food is just the beginning of a better tomorrow.” The partnership continues in Washington D.C. and Phoenix at the IRC’s Welcome Center for asylum-seeking families.
