World Central Kitchen Delivers More Than Food After Helene Hits North Carolina STORY BY SAM GARRETT
Chef Jose Andres and volunteers in front of the World Central Kitchen chopper at Davant Field in Blowing Rock. Photo by Sam Garrett.
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uring the first few days after Hurricane Helene, Banner Elk and Beech Mountain were only accessible by air. The same day the National Guard evacuated Lees-McRae College students from the area, World Central Kitchen (WCK) transported food into Banner Elk. One of many temporary FAA helicopter landing sites and staging areas for WCK to pick up food and supplies was Davant Field in Blowing Rock. The word went out that 10-15 volunteers would be needed to quickly load food onto a helicopter; over 20 volunteers showed up. Chef Jose Andres founded World Central Kitchen in 2010 as a response to the devastation and humanitarian crisis in Haiti. Chef Andres took a few minutes between the two trips from Blowing Rock to sit down and discuss the organization’s efforts in North Carolina. 34
HIGH COUNTRY MAGAZINE
December 2024
Chef Andres arrived a few minutes behind schedule and immediately apologized. “We like to be on time. I apologize for being a few minutes late,” said Andres. “As we prepared to leave Asheville, the airspace became restricted because the President had arrived to assess the situation.” Following the temporary restriction, the WCK crew received approval to proceed. Under normal circumstances, the airspace around Marine 1 is restricted and all other aircraft are grounded. WCK was granted an exception for performing disaster relief work.
It’s not just about food. We show up every day and ask what people need … a hot meal is needed but being there every day is more important.
- JOSE ANDRES