World Central Kitchen in action in the Bahamas.
Source: WCK
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have chosen a high-profile partner for their nonprofit’s first publicly announced philanthropic project Archewell Foundation.
On December 20, the couple announced that their eight-month-old foundation has started working together José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, the non-profit organization that feeds people in disaster-stricken areas around the world.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex support a series of Community Relief Centers for World Central Kitchen. The structures will be permanent, built to act as quickly activated service kitchens during emergencies such as natural disasters, with the ability to switch to community centers, schools and clinics. The team sees the integrated approach as a way to promote more resilient local food systems.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle
Photographer: Chris Jackson / Getty Images
The first of the four centers is being built on the Caribbean island of Domenica, which was badly hit by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. The opening is scheduled for early 2021. The second will take place in Puerto Rico; the other two locations have not been announced.
“The health of our communities depends on our ability to connect with our shared humanity,” Markle and Prince Harry said in an emailed statement. “When we think of Chef Andrés and his incredible team at World Central Kitchen, we are reminded that even in a year of unimaginable hardship, there are so many wonderful people who are willing – and work tirelessly – to support each other. World Central Kitchen inspires us through compassion in action. “
The Duke and Duchess do not want to say anything about the amount of money they contribute to the effort. The cost of each center will vary depending on the location, but Nate Mook, CEO of World Central Kitchen, estimated that each installation would require an initial investment of at least $ 50,000 to get started.
The couple confirmed that they will work with Andrés to find additional partners to build more Community Relief Centers around the world. They said that due to the limitations of the coronavirus, they do not immediately plan to visit the centers, but they will in the future.
The design of each center depends on its location. “One of our greatest assets is that we can act quickly to feed those in need after a disaster,” says Mook.
José Andrés, Chef and Founder of World Central Kitchen.
Photographer: Mike Jett / WCK
World Central Kitchen has distributed 50 million meals in 17 countries since its inception in 2010. In 2018, Andrés was nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
“We are getting more energy than ever to continue this pivotal work,” said Andrés in an email, “and we are proud that it will go hand in hand with Archewell Foundation and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. got to know both of them well and believe their values are directly aligned with what we stand for at World Central Kitchen. “