Tag: worldcentralkitchen

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I Stand with Ukraine

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artwork by Marc Chagall with mother clutches her child while her husband attempts to shield his family from flames

On 24 February 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine. While the White House claims the opposite, it does not change the truth we saw for ourselves. Television images of Russian tanks and bombed children’s hospitals. Interviews with World Central Kitchen Founder and Chef José Andrés as he and his teams provided hot meals for displaced people. And, on a personal note – hearing from Moldovan friends, with whom I shared many glasses of wine, that they were offering safe homes to Ukrainian refugees. Americans hung bright yellow and blue flags, churches conducted prayer vigils for peace, and sunflowers became the flower of choice, at least for a time.

With embarrassment, I watched a BBC live feed as an international relations meeting devolved into a shouting match intended to intimidate democratically elected President Volodymyr Zelenskyy while he visited the Oval Office. While Zelenskyy sought ongoing US support for Ukraine, the administration rudely rejected his warning to avoid putting too much trust in Vladimir Putin. These words of caution were not that of a flimflam man but from someone who has walked through the exploded rubble of the streets of his Capitol; a warning based on personal knowledge of broken Russian promises. My upbringing, with deep roots in southern hospitality and Swiss congeniality, requires treating a guest with respect. While I have only visited 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, I believe it is the people’s house and basic rules of respect and dignity should prevail. That definitely did not occur yesterday.

Art credit: Marc Chagall, 1887-1985. La Famille Ukrainienne, gouache, pastel and pencil on paper, executed circa 1940-1943.

Knitting

Knit for Food Knit-a-Thon Today

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graphic for knit for food marathon with a banana, steam rising from a bowl, a peanut butter jar, bread, apple and a ball of yarn with knitting needles

The beauty of retirement is the flexibility to decide whether to knit or swiffer the living room floor; to knit or reorganize the kitchen utensil drawer.  I framed my task list weeks ago when I registered for today’s Knit for Food Knit-a-Thon.  As part of Marie Greene’s team, I will join her and 6,000 others knitting through the day.  There are Zoom links connecting knitters, crocheters, and crafters for this 12-hour marathon that will raise funds and awareness for food insecurity.  The money will be equally divided among Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry, and Meals on Wheels.

Graphic credit:  © Marie Greene

Knitting

Knit for Food Knit-a-thon

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background teal fades to gold with bold white letters stating knit for food 03-23-24 with knitting ball and needles

I know what I will be doing a month from today on March 23 – KNITTING!

Inspired by Knit Camp leader, Marie Greene, I will join thousands of knitters and crafters in the Knit for Food Knit-a-thon 2024.  A day, that Marie describes, when “we can turn skeins of yarn into meals on tables, hope in hearts, and smiles on faces.”

This knit-a-thon is a 12-hour marathon to raise funds and awareness for food insecurity.  The event planners promise “100% of funds raised will be equally divided between Feeding America, World Central Kitchen, No Kid Hungry, and Meals on Wheels” and they have a track record validating their claim.  The previous three knit-a-thons, 2021-2023, raised $877,571!

Even if you are not a knitter, every craft-lover can participate because what is not to love about a day spent working with your favorite medium AND raising money for such a meaningful cause.  So join me in participating and donating to Knit for Food Knit-a-thon.

More information about the knit-a-thon recipients:

Other items of interest

Food Relief in a War Zone

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Fans of late night TV may recognize celebrity chef José Andrés for his witty repartee and tasty dishes but millions more know him because the World Central Kitchen (WCK) helped make sure they did not go hungry.  In 2010 after devastating earthquakes in Haiti, Chef Andrés was on the ground collaborating with local chefs to feed the hungry.  His work on that small island nation inspired the creation of his not-for-profit, non-governmental organization based on the belief:  Food is a universal human right.  

With years of experience and regardless of the conditions – hurricane in Puerto Rico, volcanic eruption in Tonga or the unprovoked war on the people of the Ukraine – the WCK moves with lighting speed to provide food, supplies, and logistical support to restaurant partners and volunteers on the front lines.

When you talk about food and water, people don’t want a solution one week from now, one month from now.  The solution has to be now.

Chef José Andrés

Within a day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the WCK had set up food distribution centers at border crossings and then began working directly in the war torn cities of Lviv and Kyiv.  The WCK news and Twitter feed share regular updates from Ukraine, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and, of particular interest to me, Moldova.  A Tweet early this month caught my attention:

March 1 – In addition to meals being served in Poland, Ukraine, and Romania, WCK’s first meals in Moldova were provided to children and families at the Chișinău Airport. Local restaurants served fresh plates of baked chicken over pasta with a tomato salad and bread. Working with local groups, we will be expanding our reach in the country as needed. 

And more recent WCK #ChefsForUkraine Tweets:

March 11 – The Carpineni Orphanage in Moldova has suddenly become a shelter for Ukrainian families fleeing home. Housing 100 people, the shelter’s kitchen has relied on donations from the small, surrounding community. Now, WCK is supporting this team to provide fresh meals.

March 11 – To reach Mykolaiv, Ukraine—a city targeted by Russian forces—WCK partner Team Humanity left Moldova before dawn with fruit, baby food & more for families in the city. After distributing items, the team evacuated a group of women & children to safety in Moldova.

March 13 – Inside the Manej Sports Arena in Moldova, hundreds of cots now sit where athletes once practiced. The shelter is housing 600-800 mostly Roma refugees who have fled Ukraine. WCK partner Cafeneaua din Gratiesti is delivering daily meals for families here.

For more information on these herculean efforts or to join me in contributing to this worthy cause visit the World Central Kitchen website. Or follow regular Twitter updates @WCKitchen.