In response to the combined health, economic, and humanitarian crises brought about by the pandemic, WCK activated across the United States to safely distribute individually packaged, fresh meals in communities in need of support – children learning at home, healthcare heroes on the frontlines, and seniors safely staying in.
In light of the exponential need, we launched our Restaurant for the People program, which tackled the growing crises on two fronts by paying local restaurants to cook fresh meals for their neighbors in need—getting food to hungry people while at the same time keeping restaurants and their teams open and working.
The WCK team worked with over 2,500 restaurants in more than 400 cities across the United States. We also supported communities in Spain, Indonesia, and the Dominican Republic.
Our Covid response by the numbers
Meals served
across the US, Spain, Indonesia, and the Dominican Republic
Disbursed
directly to local restaurants serving their neighbors
US Cities
where WCK provided fresh meals for families
Follow Along: 40+ Million Meals
Explore this interactive map highlighting our work across the United States in response to the pandemic. By clicking ‘next’ in the bottom left box, you’ll be taken through our efforts over the year 2020—thank you for taking this journey with us.
Oakland, CA
The Damel
“I want to extend our thanks to you for not only saving our business from closing down but also for helping our great team stay employed. Your generosity reflects our mission statement of nurturing growth and building community. With WCK’s great partnership, The Damel is focusing on ‘thriving and not surviving’.”Oumar, Owner & Chef
Philadelphia, PA
El Merkury
Right before mandatory COVID restaurant closures, Sofia was in the process of opening a second location of her Guatemalan restaurant, El Merkury. By partnering with WCK, Sofia was able to provide thousands of meals to frontline workers and people experiencing homelessness through the Sunday Love Project, all while keeping her business afloat.
Harlem, NY
La Fonda Boricua
With Restaurants for the People, La Fonda Boricua was able to operate again as a restaurant, cooking fresh meals themselves to serve to their neighbors. With WCK’s support, they were able to go from 4 staff when the COVID-19 outbreak began to 11 working employees.
A short WCK film by Mike Atwood & Matt Stanton
If We Do It Together
Danny Barber – head of the Citywide Council of Presidents of NYC Housing Authority tenants – worked with WCK in The Bronx. He sparked a movement in his community, local heroes taking care of their neighbors.
Chefs For America
WCK Direct
Developed by WCK in response to increased hunger during the pandemic, WCK Direct was a text-to-order program that addressed the dramatic rise in food and nutrition insecurity, the increased strain on the emergency food system, and the ongoing struggles of the restaurant industry.
Across several US cities, families in need were able to order free meals directly from WCK partner restaurants for delivery or pickup.
