Alexandria, Va. – In the spirit of the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, Islamic Relief USA, a nonprofit humanitarian and advocacy organization, and World Central Kitchen, the organization headed by chef and humanitarian José Andrés, announced they will collaborate to provide more than 100,000 hot meals in nearly 200 cities in more than 30 states.
In addition, IRUSA is working closely with World Central Kitchen to sustain small businesses and restaurants through the Chefs for America Program so that they remain in business. Millions of culinary workers struggled after the COVID-19 pandemic took hold.
“Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen use the power of food to heal and strengthen communities in times of crisis and beyond,” said Sharif Aly, chief executive officer at Islamic Relief USA, said in a video statement announcing the partnership. “I wanted to share a special thanks to Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen, and their Chefs for America program as we work together to assist those most vulnerable during this blessed month of Ramadan.”
“This Ramadan, World Central Kitchen is truly grateful to have the support of Islamic Relief for our #ChefsForAmerica response,” said Nate Mook, CEO of World Central Kitchen. “With this incredible uplift, we will be able to serve more than 100,000 fresh, nutritious meals to communities in need across the country.”
In the first 50 days since the effort for those affected by COVID-19 began, World Central Kitchen served more than 5 million meals in more than 1,200 locations. Some of those include major cities, states, and territories such as New York City, Southern California, New Orleans, La., Little Rock, Washington, D.C, Oakland/Bay Area, Maryland, Puerto Rico, Ventura, CA, Miami, Fla, Baltimore, Md., Georgia, Detroit, Mich., Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, and Chicago, Ill.
MEDIA CONTACT
Syed M. Hassan
(703) 370-7246; (571) 421-7032 (CELL)
XXX
Islamic Relief USA, based in Alexandria, Va., is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) humanitarian organization. Its mission is to alleviate suffering, hunger, illiteracy and disease regardless of color, race, gender or creed, and to provide aid in a compassionate and dignified manner. Islamic Relief USA aims to provide rapid relief in the event of human and natural disasters and to establish sustainable local development projects, allowing communities to better help themselves. Its programs benefit millions of people each year around the world, including in the United States.
Islamic Relief USA meets all of the Standards for Charity Accountability of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity monitoring group affiliated with the Better Business Bureau system. Islamic Relief USA is on the U.S. government’s Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) charity list, and it is also a signatory to the code of conduct of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.