The real meaning of comfort food:

Today, on World Food Day, I want to tell you about a chef in D.C. who is using his talents to change the world: José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen.

Back in 2010, Chef José Andrés headed to Haiti following a deadly earthquake. His plan? Use his skill, time, energy, and resources to try to make a small dent in the devastation. While cooking alongside displaced families, he was taught how to cook local fare — including Haitian comfort food — in a time of great discomfort and uncertainty.

Upon reflecting, Chef Andrés realized: it's not just about feeding people in need — but listening, learning, and cooking side by side with the people impacted by a crisis. That a freshly prepared meal is more than one less thing someone has to worry about — but a reminder that you are not alone, someone is thinking about you, and someone cares.

This food is hope.

From this experience, his charity, World Central Kitchen (WCK) was born.

Right now, WCK teams are on the ground at the frontlines of natural disasters in Florida, North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, Mexico, and active war zones around the world including: Gaza, Lebanon, Israel, and Ukraine.

These brave people are consistently putting themselves in harm's way to ensure that people don't go hungry because food is a human right.

This World Food Day, I am asking you to join me in doing our part to support WCK.

While there is more than enough food produced worldwide to feed everyone, nearly one in ten people across the globe still suffer from hunger. That number spikes when there are crises like Hurricanes Helene and Milton or during wartime.

WCK is at the frontlines of humanitarian, climate, and community crises around the world, and a small action from each of us today can have a meaningful impact for people in need tomorrow.

Today, join me in supporting WCK and their efforts to end hunger — regardless of where it's happening.

Jim