WCK stepped up to support federal workers and their families in fall 2025 during the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Over the course of 19 days, we served a total of 117,340 hot meals across D.C., Maryland, Virginia, and New York, along with sandwiches hand-delivered to military personnel at Arlington Cemetery on Veterans Day.

WCK teams and volunteers operated two public distribution sites in D.C. and also delivered meals from local partners to three nearby airports, where air traffic controllers and TSA agents were working without pay, as well as one airport in New York.

#ChefsForFeds was a powerful moment for Chef Corps members to care for their neighbors in need, including Chef Markos Panas of Bread & Water Company. The Alexandria, Virginia–based bakery and café supplied nearly 10,000 meals throughout the response, along with enough coffee and tea to keep everyone warm while they collected meals.

“Being a part of this team holds such a special place for me because it utilizes something so near and dear to my heart—the simple and rewarding act of genuine human connection, which WCK as a platform is built upon,” Chef Markos said. “It connects people on simple and honest terms and brings out the best in us.”

Bread & Water Company also supplied meals for employees at area airports who were working without pay. “I had to jump onto a flight out of Dulles at the very same time we were delivering meals to TSA employees, and everyone there was so appreciative,” Markos said. He added that TSA directors later visited the bakery after the shutdown to show their gratitude.

Chef Markos emphasized that supporting #ChefsForFeds was a true team effort. “We couldn’t have done the job we did without people giving a little—or a lot—extra of themselves, and it’s eye-opening to see how a good cause brings that out in people,” he said. “My team worked so hard to make this happen, and every time we do something like this, it brings us closer together for something bigger than ourselves.”

Bread & Water Company has partnered with WCK before, most recently supporting search and rescue workers following a plane crash in January.

“The best part of working with World Central Kitchen is getting to witness—and contribute to—the profound effects of kindness, respect, and gratitude that are created in real time during these emergencies.”

The Chef Corps is a global network of prominent culinary leaders who champion World Central Kitchen’s work providing fresh meals following crises. Thanks to their generosity, adaptability, and visibility, Chef Corps members are uniquely positioned to accelerate and amplify what WCK can accomplish when we arrive first to the frontlines.