World Central Kitchen gives out thousands of meals a week in Annandale and Culmore

Cultmore residents pick up free meals at the Woodrow Wilson Library April 16.

Chef and restaurateur José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen, the Medical Care for Children Partnership (MCCP) Foundation, and the Legal Aid Justice Center are teaming up to feed families in Bailey’s Crossroads and Annandale during the coronavirus crisis.

The program provides nearly 2,000 free meals a week. This week, they gave out 400 meals at the Woodrow Wilson Library in Bailey’s Crossroads, 400 at Fairmont Gardens in Annandale, and 900 at the Annandale United Methodist Church’s center on Heritage Drive, says MCCP Foundation Executive Director Marcia Twomey.

The MCCP Foundation uses this van to bring dental services to children in their own community.

People lined up six feet apart at the Wilson Library April 16 to collect packaged meals – pasta with vegetables and a piece of fruit – made by World Central Kitchen.

They were also given dental kits and information about COVID-19 and the Census. Master Police Officer Eddy Azcarate of the Mason Police Station handed out face masks made by a local resident.

Andrés owns a couple dozen restaurants, including Jaleo in Washington, D.C., and Crystal City, and barmini, Oyamel, China Chilcano, and Zatinya in D.C.

He founded the World Central Kitchen 10 years ago to “to create smart solutions to hunger and poverty.” Since then, it’s served millions of meals to people around the world suffering after hurricanes, earthquakes, and other disasters.

The MCCP Foundation provides dental screenings and teeth cleaning for children, but since it can’t do this during the coronavirus pandemic, it is using its dental van to deliver food to community members facing financial challenges.

The Legal Aid Justice Center helped coordinate the program and informed residents about the meal giveaways, as it already has strong ties in the community.