The 6.4-magnitude earthquake shook Northern California’s Humboldt County and surrounding areas in the early hours of December 20. Two deaths were reported as a result of the temblor that also left 71,000 customers without power, a figure that accounts for 71% of all customers in Humboldt County. Multiple aftershocks also followed.
WCK’s Relief Team was on site in hard-hit Rio Dell, 25 miles south of Eureka, within hours of the incident. The community was left without running water and electricity, with some families unable to return home. WCK partnered with food trucks and a local restaurant to provide nourishing, comforting meals to the tight-knit communities of Rio Dell and nearby Fortuna. The menu included tacos, sandwiches, and pupusas—a Central American griddle cake.
One day after the earthquake most homes had electricity restored. However, boil notices remained in place in parts of the county so we continued to provide fresh meals until acute needs subsided.
By the numbers
Meals Served
Food Truck & Restaurant Partners
San Miguel Pupuseria
Jorgelina moved to Humboldt County in March and just one month later launched San Miguel Pupuseria. Alongside her son Gino, Jorgelina served hundreds of pupusas—traditional griddle cakes for Central America—to families that hadn’t eaten a meal since the earthquake shook the community. Jorgelina’s business is named after her hometown in El Salvador.
Pizza Gago
Children were thrilled when they saw Chef Pawel Gago set up his wood fired pizza oven in Rio Dell. Residents lined up for delicious, artisanal pizza and quinoa salad packed with local vegetables. Chef Pawel moved to Humboldt for college and fell in love with cooking as a student. He uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients for his artisanal dough, sauce, and even makes his own sausage in-house.
Nou Nou’s
Chef Jacques Moua of Nou Nou’s christened his brand new food truck in Rio Dell. The Nou Nou’s team prepared vegetarian and chicken versions of its signature fried rice for families impacted by the earthquake.
It’s important to me to support this community in every way possible. I am passionate about making people happy with my food.
Chef Pawel Gago
Owner of Pizza Gago
