First Lady Jill Biden Visits World Central Kitchen in Asheville
On October 25, we welcomed First Lady Jill Biden and Governor Roy Cooper to World Central Kitchen’s operations in Asheville, North Carolina to share where WCK has been feeding residents impacted by Hurricane Helene. Together with WCK Founder, Chef José Andrés, Dr. Biden volunteered at WCK’s Relief Kitchen at Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ and at Ben’s Tune Up, WCK’s walk-up meal, fruit, and water distribution site and met with WCK’s Chef Jamie McDonald, member of WCK’s Relief Team and co-owner of Bear’s Smokehouse BBQ.
I saw that gift unfold while working with Jose Andres Katie and the other chefs in Asheville, North Carolina. They cooked for thousands trying to rebuild after the hurricane that swept through their community… I watched as the food gave people hope, and, even amid the devastation, they had a reason to feel a little less alone, to know that their community was there for them because they had a meal made with love. And that connection is what diplomacy is about as well.
First Lady Jill Biden
November 12, 2024 White House Reception HonoringCulinary Arts in Diplomacy
With 84 restaurant partners in North Carolina and Tennessee, we’ve served 979,976 meals to date in the southeastern US. Given the ongoing challenges with water access, we’ve also channeled our efforts to distribute more than 768,000 gallons of potable water in North Carolina alone. Communities are extremely grateful for the support we’ve provided, and are also eager to get back on their feet and become self-sufficient.
In areas like Swannanoa, Hendersonville, Burnsville, Marshall, Yancey County, and more, power and water restoration is slowest, and we expect our support to be needed there for longer. World Central Kitchen CEO Erin Gore echoed this need during the visit, saying “We are grateful for the opportunity to host First Lady Jill Biden at our relief sites today in Asheville and shine an important spotlight on the dire need in this community and throughout the region. On the ground in Asheville and across North Carolina, thousands of people are continuing to line up for a meal each day. Potable water is severely lacking and restaurants and businesses are slowly beginning to reopen. However, it’s been beautiful to see this resilient community come together during this extremely difficult time and offer each other support as they get back on their feet.”
For more photos and video, please see our Media Kit.
Help us support families in North Carolina and Tennessee impacted by Hurricane Helene.
