WCK's South and Central US Storm Response (March/April 2025)

In mid-March, a dangerous storm system led to a deadly tornado outbreak in most of the American Midwest, including hard-hit communities across Missouri, Kansas, Alabama, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. In its wake, the severe weather outbreak unleashed wildfires, dust storms, and a series of devastating tornadoes that wreaked havoc on impacted communities. The tornadoes—with wind speeds surpassing 190 mph in some areas—leveled entire communities, knocked out power to hundreds of thousands of local residents, and resulted in the deaths of more than 40 people. To help reach each impacted area, WCK established a network of over 80 restaurant partners spread across eight states, each stepping up to help serve their neighbors in need. Building on our knowledge and previous partnerships from past responses like the 2024 tornado outbreak in Florida and Alabama, WCK was able to serve communities across an immense geographic area. In total, our teams—working shoulder-to-shoulder with our local restaurant partners—distributed more than 158,000 warm meals to families affected by the series of tornadoes.

Our initial response in mid-March included providing meals to communities impacted by severe weather across Mississippi, Missouri, Arkansas, and Alabama. While some of our previous feeding efforts concluded, WCK’s response expanded to support communities in the central US where additional storms in April left damage and created ongoing flooding concerns. The biggest impact of these storms was felt in Tennessee, Missouri, Kentucky, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

WCK is first to the frontlines, providing meals in response to humanitarian, climate, and community crises. When disaster strikes, WCK’s Relief Team mobilizes to the frontlines with the urgency of now to start cooking and provide meals to people in need. By partnering with organizations on the ground and activating a network of food trucks or emergency kitchens, WCK provides freshly made, nutritious meals to communities impacted by disasters quickly and effectively. We know that good food provides not only nourishment, but also comfort and hope, especially in times of crisis.

WCK has provided more than 500 million fresh, nourishing meals for communities around the world. Your donation today will be used to support our emergency food relief efforts.

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