Blizzard Relief: World Central Kitchen Mobilizes to Provide Hot Meals on Cape Cod and Islands

In the wake of the powerful blizzard that hit the region on Monday, World Central Kitchen (WCK) has mobilized to provide hot, nourishing meals to Cape Cod and the Islands. With widespread power outages affecting the area, the global food relief organization is partnering with local chefs and nonprofits to ensure that storm victims and emergency responders have access to warm meals.

Working in collaboration with Family Table Collaborative in South Yarmouth, WCK will initially prepare meals for people seeking refuge in public shelters and warming centers across Cape Cod. The meals will then be distributed to various locations, including shelters on Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

Samantha Elfmont, response director for WCK, explained that local restaurants will be enlisted as soon as they regain power and capacity to assist. However, the team is initially relying on off-Cape restaurants for meal preparation, with Cape Cod Regional Technical High School in Harwich serving as another cooking location.

“We’re working with local chefs and restaurants to provide hot meals as soon as they’re able to assist,” Elfmont said. “We want to support the community by using local resources wherever possible, including the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe’s shelter.”

Cape Cod and the Islands are currently the only areas in New England where WCK is operating in response to this storm. The group is closely monitoring other regions, such as Rhode Island, to see if additional support is needed.

The meals will also be provided to utility workers and other storm responders. In the midst of ongoing power outages—especially in Provincetown, where power has fluctuated between 70% and 100% outage—the WCK team remains dedicated to delivering warm food to those in need.

Jeni Wheeler, executive director of Family Table Collaborative and a member of WCK’s Chef Corps, is grateful for the timely assistance. “Having WCK’s support is invaluable. With their help, we can reach communities on the Lower, Outer Cape, and the Islands to ensure no one is left without food during this difficult time,” Wheeler said.

Founded by Chef José Andrés in 2010, World Central Kitchen has been a leader in providing emergency food relief worldwide. WCK’s Chef Corps includes over 500 chefs from around the globe, including Jeni Wheeler, who is passionate about ensuring that food security remains a priority even in the aftermath of disasters.

Wheeler is especially appreciative of WCK’s support during the Cape's recovery, especially now that the Steamship Authority has resumed service, allowing food to be delivered to Nantucket and Martha’s Vineyard.

As temperatures remain in the low 20s overnight and power outages continue, WCK will continue to provide hot meals like chicken parmesan, pasta, and soup with paninis to give families, children, and the elderly the comfort and nourishment they need.

For updates on open shelters and warming centers, please visit the Barnstable County website.