Spotlight: World Central Kitchen

Yamathon Community Impact Partner : Serving Communities, One Step at a Time

Tokyo Yamathon brings together people who believe that collective effort can create meaningful impact. In Tokyo Yamathon 2025, participants walked in support of organizations working on the front lines of global challenges, including World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises.

We spoke with World Central Kitchen about what participating in Tokyo Yamathon 2025 meant for their work and how community-driven support continues to fuel their mission.

Q: What did being part of Tokyo Yamathon 2025 mean for your organization?

“Being part of Tokyo Yamathon 2025 reflected the strength of community driven support for World Central Kitchen’s work. In early 2024, after a powerful earthquake, our teams activated in Japan and served more than 80,000 meals to communities in need. Seeing supporters in Tokyo engage with our mission through Yamathon highlighted how people can come together across borders to care for one another through food."

Q: How does support from events like Yamathon help advance your mission?

“Support from events like Yamathon helps World Central Kitchen respond quickly and effectively when emergencies happen. Community raised funds allow us to work with local chefs, source ingredients locally, and serve fresh meals to people facing hardship. These events also help more people learn about our work and stay connected to the mission beyond a single moment.”

Q: How do partnerships like this contribute to your long-term impact?

“Partnerships like Yamathon help sustain our work over time by building lasting relationships with communities around the world.” “That ongoing support strengthens our ability to prepare for future responses and continue showing up wherever there is a need for a warm meal.”

Q: Is there anything you’d like participants or fundraisers to know about the difference their support makes?

“Participants and fundraisers should know that their support makes a tangible difference.” “The funds raised help World Central Kitchen serve meals to people experiencing crisis around the world, often at moments when help is needed most.” “Every effort helps ensure we can act quickly and provide food with care and dignity.”

Learn More About World Central Kitchen

Founded in 2010 by Chef José Andrés, World Central Kitchen (WCK) is a nonprofit organization that is first to the frontlines providing fresh meals in response to crises. Applying our model of quick action, leveraging local resources, and adapting in real time, WCK has served more than 600 million nourishing meals around the world.

When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes with the urgency of now to start cooking and serving meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of local restaurants, food trucks, and emergency kitchens, WCK serves comforting meals to survivors of disasters quickly and effectively. To support regional economies, WCK prioritizes purchasing local ingredients to cook with or distribute directly to families in need.

We know that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis. Learn more at wck.org.