For the past few years, Gift for Life, a national charitable organization for the gift and home industry, has focused on supporting World Central Kitchen (WCK) and its hunger relief work. WCK, a nonprofit founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, provides fresh meals to people in need and aims to build resilient food systems with locally led solutions.
Seven humanitarian aid workers employed by WCK were killed by Israeli Defense Forces on April 1. According to a press release from WCK, the workers killed were nationals of Australia, Canada/United States (dual citizen), Gaza, Poland and the United Kingdom. WCK reports that Israel has admitted to the killings and called it a “tragic event in which our forces unintentionally harmed noncombatants.”
WCK says the military attack involved multiple strikes and targeted three WCK vehicles. “All three vehicles were carrying civilians, were marked as WCK vehicles and movements were in full compliance with Israeli authorities, who were aware of their itinerary, route and humanitarian mission.”
In response to the announcement on the death of the seven WCK workers, Gift for Life issued a statement: “We were shocked and saddened by [the April 1] news that seven World Central Kitchen relief workers were killed by Israeli airstrikes while delivering much-needed aid to Gaza. WCK sends teams and aid where they are desperately needed, which is quite often into harm’s way, so while this type of danger is not unknown to WCK, Chef José Andrés has announced the suspension of WCK’s relief efforts in Gaza.
“Since 2019, our industry has united to support WCK’s efforts to feed communities impacted by crisis, climate and conflict around the globe, and we stand united with Chef Andres, the WCK team and the families who lost loved ones. We also offer our hope for a swift return to peace that will allow their humanitarian efforts to resume.”
Gift for Life has also updated the homepage of its website with a banner honoring the WCK team members who were killed in Gaza. The banner includes a link to WCK’s webpage with a list of the seven individuals’ names, photographs, countries of origin and WCK roles.
Donations can be made to WCK’s general fund online or to one of Gift for Life’s current WCK campaigns, including Home vs. Hunger’s Party with a Purpose at High Point Market, Dorothy Belshaw’s Industry Achievement Award at the Retailer Excellence Awards in Dallas or Peter Schauben’s 70th Birthday event at Atlanta Market.
