Why WCK? As part of our 2020 Book Club, we read José Andrés’s We Fed an Island and decided to support his efforts feeding people who are in dire situations.

WCK is a humanitarian nonprofit founded in 2010 by chef José Andrés with the core purpose of providing immediate, freshly prepared meals to people affected by disasters, conflicts, and crises. Its mission emphasizes rapid response, local collaboration, and dignity through food, positioning meals not only as sustenance but also as a form of relief and stability during emergencies.

Since late 2025, WCK’s operations have scaled significantly in both scope and sophistication. In 2025 alone, the organization served over 130 million meals across thousands of communities worldwide, responding to climate disasters, armed conflicts, and economic disruptions. Its operational model relies heavily on partnering with local chefs, restaurants, and volunteers—described as “locals feeding locals”—which enables faster deployment and culturally appropriate meals.

A major focus since late 2025 has been large-scale humanitarian crises, particularly in Gaza and Ukraine. In Gaza, WCK has delivered hundreds of millions of meals, along with water and essential supplies, while expanding kitchen networks and infrastructure as conditions allowed. The organization adapted to shifting conditions such as border closures and ceasefires, improving consistency in meal delivery and increasing reach into previously inaccessible areas.

WCK has also remained active in disaster relief globally. In early 2026, it responded to hurricanes in the Caribbean (serving millions of meals in Jamaica), floods in Colombia, wildfires in Chile, and winter storms across the United States. These responses demonstrate its ability to operate simultaneously across multiple regions.

Additionally, WCK has expanded beyond emergency feeding into recovery-oriented initiatives, such as supporting farmers, rebuilding local food systems, and establishing community kitchens.

Overall, since late 2025, WCK has reinforced its role as a fast, adaptive, and globally coordinated food relief organization, combining immediate aid with longer-term community resilience strategies.​