I've long been an admirer of Chef José Andrés and grateful for the remarkable work he's done around the globe through the organization he founded, World Central Kitchen (WCK). I've turned on the television many times in recent years and seen Chef Andrés and his WCK
team in areas suffering from armed conflicts and natural disasters providing food and water to those in need. I never imagined at the time that one day a hurricane would devastate the Blue Ridge Mountains and the area where I live would desperately need the help of Chef Andrés and the World Central Kitchen crew.
Hurricane Helene caused catastrophic damage throughout Western North Carolina. Lives were lost, homes were destroyed, businesses were ruined, and people were left hungry and thirsty ... and among the first to arrive and roll up his sleeves to help was Jose Andrés. I've seen firsthand the invaluable work World Central Kitchen has done from
Asheville to Banner Elk and points in between. And Chef Andrés and WCK didn't just stick around while the impact of Hurricane Helene on Western North Carolina was the lead story on the national news. It's been well over two months since Helene rolled through these mountains. The news coverage started to taper off weeks ago. But WCK is still here and still hard at work helping Western North Carolinians in need as the region works to recover and rebuild.
I'm one of the Western North Carolinians World Central Kitchen has helped. Hurricane Helene wrecked most of the Asheville water system. For a couple of weeks, we were totally without running water. Then, when water started to flow again, it was drawn straight out of the reservoir and came out of the tap dingy. It took 53 days before the Asheville water system was able to provide potable water to most area residents. Water is one of those things you take for granted ... until you don't have it. Not long after Helene hit, a big tanker truck pulled into a parking lot about a mile from my house and WCK set up a free potable water distribution center. For weeks, I'd load my car up with containers every
three or four days and drive to the WCK site to fill then with potable water. I'm grateful to WCK for making life a little more bearable for Lisa and I as we waited for clean water to return.
My historical novel "Sovereign Oak" is set in the Asheville area, and the rivers and creeks that flooded during Helene and caused so much destruction are central to the stories in the book. From December 8th through January 7th, half of whatever I earn from the book will be donated to World Central Kitchen. I'm truly grateful to Chef Andrés and the entire World Central Kitchen organization for stepping up when Western North Carolina needed them, and this is my small effort to say thank you for all you have done and you continue to do.
You can order "Sovereign Oak" in e-book, paperback, or hardcover format on Amazon by clicking here. You can donate directly to World Central Kitchen by clicking here.
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