Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have announced the very first partnership of their newly launched Archewell Foundation. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will be joining forces with world-renowned chef, Jose Andres and World Central Kitchen to help communities around the world.
The partnership, which was announced Sunday by the royal couple, will focus on building 4 permanent Community Relief Centers which will serve as kitchens during moments of crisis such as natural disasters. The famous couple has also promised to bring in more donors to help build more centers around the world. When not being used during and after moments of crisis, the centers will be used as food distribution hubs, clinics, schools or just safe spaces for the community to gather.
“The health of our communities depends on our ability to connect to our shared humanity,†said Meghan Markle and Prince Harry in an emailed statement. “When we think about Chef Andrés and his incredible team at World Central Kitchen, we’re reminded that even during a year of unimaginable hardship, there are so many amazing people willing — and working tirelessly — to support each other. World Central Kitchen inspires us through compassion in action.â€
Meghan Markle and Prince Harry have long been supporters of food programs around the world. Just last month, Prince Harry was spotted volunteering with the Walker Family Events Foundation at an event hosted for Compton’s veterans where he helped pack and deliver food to locals in need. The low-key appearance seemed to be very much on his terms, with no press around and no entourage in sight- the public only found out after the fact, when the charity posted it on their Instagram.
READ: Charity Spotlight: Prince Harry Quietly Volunteers in Compton
Back in England, Meghan was involved in a couple of charities that focused on providing proper meals to the community. One of the very first organizations Markle volunteered for after joining the Royal family was the Hubb Community Kitchen. The charity, which was created back in 2017 when a group of women got together to prepare food for those devastated by the Grenfell Tower fire. The Grenfell fire took place at the Grenfell Towers, a special housing unit of almost 1,000 homes. The fire killed 72 people and displaced hundreds. Today, the charity delivers up to 300 meals to families throughout London three days per week. Markle also famously wrote the foreword for the cookbook, Together, which is raises funds for the Hubb Community Kitchen.
Watch Meghan Markle serve food at the Hubb Community Kitchen:
Although the exact sum of money the Archewell foundation will be donating to World Central Kitchen has not been disclosed, Nate Mook, CEO of World Central Kitchen has estimated that each center will require at least $50,000. The first center will be built on the Caribbean island, Domenica which was hit by Hurricanes Maria and Irma in 2017. The centers are being built quickly with this one set to open in early 20201. The next two centers will be located in Puerto Rico, which was also hit hard by Maria and Irma. The location of the last center has not yet been announced.
Chef Jose Andres responded to the announcement in an email saying, “We are more energized than ever to continue this vital work,†he said. “And we’re proud that it will be hand in hand with Archewell Foundation and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex. I have come to know both of them well, and believe that their values are directly aligned with what we stand for at World Central Kitchen.†Although the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not have any plans to visit the centers any time soon due to Coronavirus restrictions, the couple has said they plan on visiting in the future.
To learn more about World Central Kitchen or if you would like to donate, please check them out HERE.