Commissioner Eileen Higgins and World Central Kitchen Delivered Thousands of Meals to Residents in District 5, Partnership to Continue Through March

MIAMI-DADE – Throughout the month of February, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins, District 5, in collaboration with World Central Kitchen (WCK), distributed over 3,640 meals to seniors in District 5 as part of WCK’s #ChefsForAmerica nationwide emergency food relief program to District 5. Over the last four weeks, Commissioner Higgins has facilitated food distributions in senior buildings in Little Havana and Miami Beach, and added WCK program into her monthly drive-through distribution at the Miami-Dade County Auditorium.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused so many losses in our community, but thanks to the World Central Kitchen team, we’ve connected our local mom and pop restaurants to our residents in need,” said Commissioner Higgins. “WCK has joined us at a time when our neighborhoods needed them most, and together we have brought a little hope back to our community.”

WCK has been at the forefront of the fight against hunger for over a decade, and during the COVID-19 pandemic they have activated in communities across the country to meet the daily needs of families though a warm plate of food and supporting thousands of local restaurants in the process. Through their Restaurants for the People program, they have worked closely with the restaurant industry, which has been detrimentally affected by this crisis, by providing jobs for their staff and drivers who need to earn a living while producing meals for their neighborhoods in need.

The impact of this partnership goes beyond feeding those in need – it has helped to uplift District 5’s small business economy. Partner restaurants for this program included El Cristo Restaurant & Catering, La Café Trova, and Le Petit Bistrot. The owners of these mom and pop businesses have been able to put the funds earned into keeping their doors open, keeping their staff employed, and pivoting to meet the needs of this new normal.

“Two years ago, we sold everything in France to come and live the American Dream with our kids,” said Marilyn Arrebot, owner of Le Petite Bistrot Miami. “Before we became a partner restaurant for WCK, we had officially closed our business. Now, we’re putting the funds made from this program into starting a food truck! We’re so grateful to be able to help the community while also getting the support we need to reopen for business.”

The success of this partnership has led to an extension of this program in District 5 through March.