Lenten alms 2021:  World Central Kitchen

In 2020, the world changed profoundly, and our daily lives were overturned in a way none of us could have ever imagined. WCK activated in communities around the United States and the world to meet the daily needs of families through a warm plate of food – and supported thousands of local restaurants in the process.  


Following are some of the programs through which WCK is making an impact as we live through the COVID-19 crisis and natural disasters in the United States and around the world. Visit this page weekly during Lent to learn more about our Lenten Alms project for 2021. If you are able, please donate here, and select Lenten Alms. Each $5.00 contribution provides one fresh plate of food. 

  • WCK activates in Texas

    Snow, ice, and freezing temperatures swept across Texas this week, causing massive power outages and leaving millions without heat during the storm. WCK’s Relief Team jumped into action, activating several of our restaurant partners who prepared meals with us in response to the pandemic over the past year. Teams on the ground served comforting meals in Houston on Wednesday before quickly expanding efforts into Austin, San Antonio, Fort Worth, and Dallas on Thursday. By Friday evening, WCK teams have served tens of thousands of meals to residents across the state.


  • Covid-19 support: Chefs for america

    WCK is working across America to safely distribute individually packaged, fresh meals in communities that need support – for children and families to pick up and take home, as well as delivery to seniors who cannot venture outside. To date, WCK has provided over 35 million meals in more than 400 cities. Traditional safety nets like school feeding programs, city services, and food banks are struggling to meet basic needs. Seniors, who are isolated for their safety, are unable to access meal services. Meanwhile, the country’s hospital workers are more stretched than ever before.

  • covid-19 support: Restaurants for the people

    World Central Kitchen’s Restaurants for the People is the next step in their ongoing response to the health, economic, and humanitarian crises stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. This program is dedicated to tackling these crises on two fronts – at the same time providing fresh meals to communities in immediate need while also keeping small restaurants and food businesses open. Today, tens of millions of Americans – the most since the Great Depression – are out of work and struggling to put food on the table for their families. Traditional safety nets like school feeding programs, city services, and food banks are up and running, but are straining under increased demand. Seniors, who are isolated for their safety, cannot access meal services. 

  • Safety first meal preparation guidelines

    In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, WCK has been preparing meals for communities impacted by the pandemic since early February 2020, and in this time, a lot was learned about the safe preparation and delivery of meals during an outbreak. Safety First: Serving Food and Protecting People During Covid-19 offers guidance on many industry-specific topics, ranging from hygiene best practices for employees at work and at home, organizing the workspace, administrative controls for managers and supervisors, actions to take should an employee become ill, safe food preparation, receiving deliveries, and appropriate protective wear.