‘Orlando for Peace’ raises money for World Central Kitchen
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In the wake of a deadly airstrike that killed seven of its aid workers in Gaza, a fundraiser benefiting celebrity chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen has been organized by TastyChomps’ Ricky Ly.
Members of Orlando’s larger culinary community are signing on to help and more are welcome to join.
At press time, “Orlando for Peace” had already raised more than $1,000, but with the addition of a silent auction — and lots of shares by fans and followers — Ly and others involved hope to see that sum grow exponentially through its end date of April 15 and surpass its $10,000 goal.
“Food, shelter, health care: the basic building blocks of life and community,” Ly told the Orlando Sentinel. “My hope is to help send our love and support to the great humanitarian work that Chef José Andrés’ and his team are doing, day in and day out, to help people in great need in the most difficult of circumstances, risking literally their life to give hope and sustenance to others.”
One hundred percent of funds raised — whether straightaway or through a silent auction featuring everything from gift cards for local restaurants including 2024 James Beard Award finalist Kaya, to foodie experiences offered by Ly, Sentinel Multimedia Food Reporter Amy Drew Thompson and Netflix star Phil Rosenthal — will go directly to World Central Kitchen.
The aid group announced in a statement Tuesday that it would pause its efforts to feed those affected by the Gaza conflict, where team members Saifeddin Isam Ayad Abutaha, Lalzawmi Francom, Damian Sobol, Jacob Flickinger, John Chapman, James Henderson and James Kirby had just unloaded more than 100 tons of food when they were hit.
“The seven people killed on a World Central Kitchen mission in Gaza on Monday were the best of humanity,” Andrés’ said in statements posted online. “They are not faceless or nameless. They are not generic aid workers or collateral damage in war.”
World Central Kitchen has shipped more than 37 million meals’ worth of humanitarian aid to Gaza since Oct. 7.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said an investigation into “a tragic case of our forces unintentionally hitting innocent people” was in progress.
More items are needed for the silent auction, which ends April 15. Individuals and businesses interested in donating items can email Ly at tastychomps@gmail.com or visit tastychompsorlando.betterworld.org/donate-an-item.
“For so many months, watching tragedy after tragedy, it began to feel utterly hopeless,” said Ly, whose previous efforts for World Central Kitchen in Ukraine and Maui raised more than $16,000. “Despite calls for peace and justice, we only find more violence, death and tragedy.
“May this small effort from our community be a spark for change and I hope it lets those people around the world seeking peace and comfort , that we, humanity, are with them.”
Direct donations: donate.wck.org/team/574295
Silent auction: tastychompsorlando.betterworld.org/auctions/orlando-world-central-kitchen
