World Central Kitchen in action in the Bahamas.
Source: WCK
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have chosen a prominent partner for the first publicly announced non-profit philanthropic project Archewell Foundation.
On December 20, the couple announced that their eight-month foundation has begun work José Andrés and World Central Kitchen, the non-profit organization that feeds people from disaster-stricken areas around the world.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex support a number of community relief centers for World Central Kitchen. The structures will be permanent, built to act as service kitchens quickly activated during emergencies such as natural disasters, with the ability to transition 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 four centers is being built on the Caribbean island of Domenica, which was hit hard by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. It is scheduled to open in early 2021. The second will be located 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 Andres and his amazing team at World Central Kitchen, it reminds us that even during a year of unimaginable hardship, there are so many amazing people willing – and working tirelessly – to support each other. World Central Kitchen inspires us through compassion in action. “
The Duke and Duchess do not want to comment on the amount of money they contribute to the effort. The cost of each center will vary depending on the location, but Nate Mook, general manager of World Central Kitchen, estimated that each facility would require an initial investment of at least $ 50,000 to get up and running.
The couple confirmed that they will work with Andrew to get additional partners to build more community relief centers around the world. They said they have no immediate plans to visit the centers due to coronavirus restrictions, but will do so in the future.
The design of each center will depend on the location. “One of our big assets is being able to quickly start actions to feed those who need it after a disaster,” Mook says.
José Andrés, chef and founder of World Central Kitchen.
Photographer: Mike Jett / WCK
World Central Kitchen has distributed 50 million meals to 17 countries since it began in 2010. In 2018, Andrés was nominated for the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize.
“We have more energy than ever to continue this vital task,” Andrew said in an email, “and we are proud that it is in the hands of the Archewell Foundation and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I have known them well and I believe that their values are directly aligned with what we stand for in World Central Kitchen. “