In the wake of the Russian invasion, José Andrés, a Spanish American chef, has set up mobile kitchens to feed Ukrainians fleeing the country.
The popular restaurateur and philanthropist is by the Ukrainian border crossing in Poland and providing hot meals for people escaping the attack.
“People of the World… Like you, I am distraught watching Ukraine under attack,” said Andrés in a tweet. “We must come together as a force for good!”
The 52-year-old is working in tandem with his not-for-profit organisation, World Central Kitchen (WCK), and added that he'll be using funds from his $100 million Jeff Bezos grant he won in 2021 for his humanitarian work.
In a video he shared online, Andrés said there were a lot of volunteers and communities helping Ukrainian refugees.
“We see that the international Red Cross is putting together shelters,” he said. “We already see that Polish people are already feeding people as they cross the border. We are seeing people in Ukraine taking care of people and doing the best they can under the circumstances.”
He also posted a video of himself serving food at the border. “It is below freezing tonight and I am meeting so many refugees, families who are escaping and don’t know what’s next… We will do our best not to let them down.”
Through WCK, Andrés has always sought to help people in a time of crisis. While serving food after Hurricane Ida, he said, "Food cannot wait. People must eat today, not next week, not next month.”
WCK also worked tirelessly to feed people in Puerto Rico after the devastation of Hurricane Maria, especially in regions where many families didn't have access to fresh food. He also helped organise food for law enforcement officers and first responders in the wake of January 6, 2021, Capitol riot.
