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WCK Responds to Magnitude 7.7 Earthquake in Panama

#ChefsForPanama
Panama | Active since October 2026
WCK is responding in Panama, where a magnitude 7.7 earthquake struck the Pacific Coast on Friday. Hundreds of aftershocks then caused further damage to homes, buildings, and roadways.

The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings, and the Panamanian government issued a state of emergency. Our local partners will be serving meals to community members impacted by damaged infrastructure and decreased access to food.

Through our networks, we’ve identified communities near the epicenter where food support is needed. Working with local Chef Corps members Isaac Villaverde and Mario Castrellón, we’ve partnered with a restaurant in the province of Los Santos that will start serving meals to impacted families today. WCK will work closely with them over the coming days to strengthen and scale their efforts. 

In Panama, WCK is serving meals to families impacted by last week’s earthquake, like these comforting plates of chicken, rice, plantain, and veggies our partner Antojito los Chamos.

Every part of this operation is led by local partners and restaurants. They identify the need within their communities, cook the meals, and deliver them directly to the families in need. WCK’s role is to support, connect, and empower them to do what they already do best. Most of these restaurants were already feeding their neighbors before we arrived.

This has been made possible by the remarkable support of Chef Corps members Isaac Villaverde and Mario Castrellon and their extended networks—particularly TURIGASTRO, Panama’s first chamber for culinary tourism, a nonprofit bringing together restaurants, chefs, and producers across the country.

When communities already show up for each other, WCK helps them go further.

Support our efforts in Panama