When Hurricane Dorian swept through the Bahamas on September 1, it took Chef José Andrés and his nonprofit, World Central Kitchen, just two days to hit the ground to serve 15,000 meals to those stranded as a result of the storm.
Dorian, according to the United Nations, has left at least 70,000 people in need of emergency assistance.
Andrés, who shared his story in the August 2018 issue of Guideposts, is a renowned chef who owns approximately 30 restaurants and founded World Central Kitchen. The nonprofit has been described as “Food First Responders” for its work providing food to those in need after natural disasters. Chef Andrés was on the ground after the Haiti earthquake of 2010 and most recently he led teams that responded after the hurricanes that tore through Houston and Puerto Rico in 2017.
“We are working toward new solutions to combat hunger, new responses to emergency, new pragmatic approaches to disaster relief,” Andrés told Guideposts. “And when the next hurricane strikes, we will be there, always working to change the world through the power of food.”
Andrés told Guideposts he believes it is his duty to help Americans in need.
“I came to the United States from Spain and opened a restaurant, Jaleo, which just turned 25 years old. I now have more than 30 restaurants, from fast casual to Michelin-starred,” he said. “My team and I feed the few, but I also believe in feeding the many.”
Andrés and a team of 12 are planning to serve food to areas heavily damaged by the hurricane, including Abaco and Grand Bahama Islands. He has chartered sea planes and rented helicopters to ferry food to the islands from Florida.
Andrés told CBS News the team’s goal in the Bahamas is to take care of feeding people to allow the government and other programs to focus on search and rescue and other efforts. They hope to serve 30,000 meals a day to those in need.
You can donate to World Central Kitchen here. Here are other ways to help:
City of Miami
The city of Miami has set up donation points for emergency supplies, including water and canned goods. Find more information here.
The Humane Society of the United States
CBS News reports the Humane Society has already transported 80 animals from impacted areas and is hoping to set them up for adoption. Donate here.
National Association of the Bahamas
This long-running nonprofit has set up a specific fund dedicated to hurricane relief, as well as running several donation drop off points in Florida. Donate here.
As always, be diligent in your research of any charities asking for donations following natural disasters. When in doubt, consult watchdog agencies like Charity Navigator or Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance.
