Spanish American chef and philanthropist José Andrés has found a way to help the people of Ukraine.
Andrés has set up his World Central Kitchen nonprofit organization at the Ukraine-Poland border to help feed Ukraine refugees fleeing into Poland because of the Russian invasion.
“Hot meal distribution today in Ukraine at the Rava-Ruska border!” Andrés tweeted Monday (February 28). “Huge lines as people wait to enter Poland. [World Central Kitchen] is partnering with Caritas nuns to serve food here & the Shehyni border crossing…We will also bring them additional supplies soon!”
Over the last week, Andrés has been keeping people online updated on the crisis in the Ukraine from his vantage point and speaking about the work he and the World Central Kitchen have been doing. In one video, he spoke to a young woman from Nigeria who emigrated to Poland about her positive experience at the border with Polish officials. It sounds like Andrés is encouraging Ukrainians to travel to Poland if they feel like they are in danger.
“I’ve spoken with many Citizens from African countries, and I can say that the reports I got and what I saw is that [the U.S. Polish Embassy is] allowing them in … they are treated well [and with] respect,” Andrés tweeted.
Andrés has been nominated three times over the last decade for the Nobel Peace Prize. Last year, Amazon founder and former CEO Jeff Bezos donated $100 million to the World Central Kitchen to help feed people across the globe who found themselves at the center of a natural disaster, or in the case of Ukraine, a war.
He proved to be a huge Latine ally when he helped feed three million people in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria hit in 2017. He wrote a book about his experiences called We Fed an Island: The True Story of Rebuilding Puerto Rico, One Meal at a Time. He also fed thousands in Guatemala after a volcanic eruption.
