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#GazaSoupKitchen: A Letter from the Heart

Update on January 18, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Dear Friends, Supporters, and Allies,

You’ve done something remarkable—together, we’ve stood with Gaza during a time of unimaginable hardship. Your love, generosity, and unwavering support have been felt deeply by the crew, the families, and the children who’ve benefitted from your kindness. Share these moments with your loved ones, because you’ve made a difference in ways that can’t be put into words.

As the ceasefire approaches, there’s a cautious sense of hope. The mood in Gaza is golden, though fragile. People are smiling, holding on to the possibility of peace, even as they navigate the shadows of loss. Your contributions are a testament to the power of love and solidarity.

---

Southern Gaza: Resilience in Action

Our southern teams have worked tirelessly to deliver aid while prioritizing safety.

Chicken and Rice: 120 families in Khan Younes received freshly prepared meals.

Fresh Fruits: A luxury just weeks ago, we distributed fruit bundles to 128 families—a moment of joy amidst chaos.

Food Parcels in Al Zawaydah: Over 200 parcels, filled with canned goods, jams, and cheeses, were distributed to families who needed them most.

With aid increasing, it’s no surprise that certain “organized criminals” have vanished—proof of their ties to forces trying to control resources.

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Northern Gaza: Cooking Through the Chaos

In the north, our teams haven’t missed a beat:

Hospital Meals: Chef Kabar at Al Nasser broke new ground by adding almonds to meals, a moment of innovation and nutrition.

Beach Camp Kitchen: Chef Faten and her sons, Yousef and Mohamed, continue creating beautiful meals with love and determination.

‍ The Fantastic Four & Five Guys Teams: These kitchen heroes at Al Nasser have been unstoppable in their commitment to feeding families.

Even as the north remains unstable, two tent-city kitchens and a school-based location will continue to serve families and hospitals in dire need.

---

Water: Life-Saving and Essential

We’ve doubled our water delivery capacity, now transporting 4,000 liters per trip compared to the previous 2,500 liters. Clean water is inexpensive but vital, and your support has ensured this lifeline remains available to so many.

---

Looking Forward: Hope Beyond the Horizon

Drinking Water: We’re working on scaling up deliveries to meet the ongoing need.

Education and Care: We’re exploring plans to reopen the school Chef Mahmoud built and provide additional support to orphans.

We dream of a day when fewer families wait in line for food, when displacement is a distant memory, and when Gaza’s strength is matched by lasting peace.

---

Gratitude from the Heart ❤️

This isn’t just about meals or water—it’s about dignity, resilience, and the hope for a better tomorrow. Thank you for being part of this journey, for standing by Gaza when it mattered most. Your support ensures that we can adapt, serve, and continue honoring the legacy of generosity and service.

Together, we go farther.

Hani

P.S. I spoke on CNN this morning, sharing the stories of suffering and survival from Gaza. It’s rare to speak with happy news in mind, but today, there’s hope—and that feels extraordinary."

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on January 10, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Dear Supporters,

Another week has passed, and I’m back with updates from the ground in #Gaza. While there’s talk of a ceasefire deal, I believe it’s little more than a gimmick—a distraction used to prolong suffering while giving political players the chance to pat themselves on the back. As the powerful negotiate in luxury, the people of Gaza endure relentless hardship—cold, hungry, and unsafe. Just my two cents.

Before diving into Gaza updates, I want to express solidarity with the people of California who are facing devastating wildfires. My heart goes out to those who have lost their homes and livelihoods.

Now, to the heart of the matter: the incredible work your generosity has made possible.

Soup Kitchens: Staying Strong

Our six soup kitchen locations remain fully operational, serving at capacity despite the immense challenges. We’ve also increased drinking water deliveries to six trucks daily, ensuring more families have access to clean water.

Here’s what’s happening across Gaza:

Khan Younes:
Crowds have grown significantly, and the team has stepped up, adding more pots to meet the need. Their food is delicious, their work tireless, and their photos uplifting. This location is now a hub of activity with three initiatives: the soup kitchen, the classroom, and the daily water deliveries. They’ve even added staff to enhance flavors and expand their impact.

Al Zawaydah:
This is our largest location, and the team here is nothing short of heroic. They cook every day, ensuring meals are hearty and nutritious by investing in extra vegetables. They’ve introduced a patron card system that guarantees meals while keeping capacity for new faces. It’s a well-oiled machine, driven by compassion.

Beach Camp:
Chef Faten and her team are doing wonders here. Five days a week, they bake savory pies, mini pizzas, sweet breads, and pastries. Fridays are reserved for rice dishes, a staple that also sustains three other locations in North Gaza, including the one providing meals for the Arab Baptist Hospital.

Al Shaikh Radwan:
Our northernmost location came under fire this week, with bullets landing alarmingly close to the cooking pots. It gave the crew a scare, but they soldiered on. Their courage inspires us all.

Hospital Deliveries:
Chef Kabar and his team prepare meals daily for the Arab Baptist Hospital, with Omar and Fatema ensuring these hot meals are delivered safely. Their dedication makes us so proud.

What’s Next?

I often ask myself: How can we do more? What else can we do? Sometimes we have answers; other times, we don’t. What’s certain is that our work remains critical. From distributing blankets, classroom supplies, to hygiene kits and care packages in both North and South Gaza, every dollar you donate is stretched to serve the community.

We need more resources, yes. And while moving funds into Gaza is a constant challenge, we persist, finding ways to get resources into the hands of our courageous crews who make all this magic happen.

How Can You Help?

Share and Engage: Social media platforms are slowing us down, and we need your help to amplify our stories. Share, engage, and tag us—it makes a bigger difference than you might think.

Boycott and Advocate: Support ethical companies and continue advocating for peace with justice.

Keep Gaza in Your Prayers: Your prayers and well wishes matter.

Thank you for being such incredible allies. Your generosity keeps the Gaza Soup Kitchen alive, and your support inspires us to keep going. Together, we’re making a tangible difference.

With gratitude and hope,
Hani
Gaza Soup Kitchen Team"

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on January 3, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Thank you for being here with us and standing in solidarity. It's deeply troubling that, in 2025, we are still needed, and even more devastating that #Gaza remains under relentless military assault. Just yesterday, 69 defenseless #Palestinians lost their lives to Israeli violence. Yet, we press on, because giving up is not an option.

"Our winterization efforts are expanding across Gaza through several initiatives. In #NorthGaza, we are distributing heavy blankets—updates on this will be shared later today on social media. Yesterday in #KhanYounes, we handed out hats and gloves to the students in our classroom led by Ms. Fatma. These small but crucial interventions are aimed at helping families cope with the brutal winter. Still, the images of people drenched and freezing in the rain are heart-wrenching, especially knowing that at least seven babies have succumbed to the cold. It’s overwhelming, but we refuse to stop. In addition to cooking daily meals—stews and soups—we’re challenging ourselves to find new ways to keep people warm. While we wish we could provide tents or tarps to shelter those most vulnerable, for now, we are focused on winter clothes and blankets. Each blanket costs about $40, and we’ve sourced the heaviest kind available. We also hope to find sleeping bags soon.

"Before diving into more updates, I want to share some exciting news. Slate Magazine just published a podcast interview with me, where I talk about #UNRWA, the #GazaSoupKitchen, and #ChefMahmoud’s inspiring contributions. I hope you get a chance to give it a listen—it’s a glimpse into the work we’re doing and the people behind it."

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on December 26th, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Dear Comrades,

As we approach the end of another year, we are met with the painful reality that for #Palestinians, the years 2023, 2024, and likely 2025 will remain marked by suffering, #starvation, and invisibility. Despite undeniable evidence, even from U.S. government reports acknowledging famine in North Gaza, influential figures like the U.S. ambassador to Israel have dismissed these truths. For us, the famine is not a distant statistic — it is our daily reality at the Gaza Soup Kitchen.

As the co-founder of this initiative, I witness firsthand the heart-wrenching struggles of families who come to our four locations in North Gaza seeking a hot meal. And while we stretch every resource to serve everyone who shows up, there are still times when we have to send people home empty-handed. It breaks our spirits — not only mine but also those of the chefs and volunteers, who feel this injustice deeply because they, too, live it.

But we refuse to stop. We expand because we must. This week alone, we added 150 families to our daily roster across North Gaza and Khan Younes. By simply adding more rice to our pots, we’ve been able to feed 25 additional families in one location.

As the year comes to a close, here’s where we stand:

North Gaza Operations: We now have four active locations: one in Beach Camp, one in Al Shaikh Radwan, and two in Al Naser. At one of the Al Naser kitchens, we prepare and deliver 140 meals daily for hospital patients, ensuring each meal serves at least two individuals. Families sheltering nearby also receive meals, and if a child shows up empty-handed, our chefs find a way to send them home with food.

Khan Younes Revival: Our Khan Younes kitchen has been reinvigorated, now serving over 200 families daily, primarily displaced families from Al Mawasy. The team has been working tirelessly to refine their operations, and their excitement is contagious. They also deliver water every morning, a vital service for the community.

Al Zawaydah Highlights: This week, the Al Zawaydah team introduced a new hot dish and prepared sahlab, a beloved winter drink made with cinnamon and coconut, for 300 children. Adults weren’t left out, and alongside the sahlab, the team served 525 hot meals, cementing this location as our largest operation.

All of this is possible because of you. Every day, we spend between $12,000 and $15,000 to sustain these efforts, ensuring families receive food and dignity. Beyond the daily meals, we also provide one-off food parcels to families in need, quietly addressing gaps where they arise.

This week, a significant stock donation of $25,000 reinforced our ability to dream big for Gaza. The donor's faith in our mission is humbling, and we’ve even developed tools for others to contribute stocks, opening new avenues for support.

To our incredible supporters: thank you. For 10 months, we have answered every call, served every meal, and shared every moment of hope because of your generosity. You’ve helped us make this year a little less unbearable for so many.

But let us not forget the context of our work. Beyond the soup and rice, my heart breaks with every story of a Palestinian journalist targeted, a physician attacked, or an influencer silenced. These stories keep me up at night. They ruin my days and weeks. But through it all, we must continue to find purpose, to act, to resist despair.

This is my purpose. Thank you for walking this journey with the late Chef Mahmoud and me, for believing in our work, and for spreading the word.

Take a moment to look at the pictures from the last 24 hours at the Gaza Soup Kitchen. Each image tells a story of resilience, of community, and of hope.

With gratitude and resolve,
Hani
Your friend at the Gaza Soup Kitchen"

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-173221650335-4b67c31ca83d11ef&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b
#NorthGaza #IsraeliWarCrimes #Starvation #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #GoFundMe #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #AlZawaydah #KamalAdwan #KamalAdwanHospital

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on December 19, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Salam, Shalom, and Hello Everyone,

Thank you for being here, for your compassion, and for all you do to make the world a better place. Right now, there’s no place more deserving of your time and generosity than Gaza, Palestine. Your unwavering support for the Gaza Soup Kitchen and the incredible helpers—both inside and outside Gaza—reminds us that humanity endures, even in the face of unimaginable challenges.

Every day, we see destruction and cruelty, but alongside it, there are moments of hope—moments made possible by people like you who refuse to give up. The Gaza Soup Kitchen began as a response to heartbreak, born from an inability to stand idly by. Since its launch earlier this year, we’ve been humbled by the scale of impact we’ve achieved together.

Looking back over the past 10 months, I often ask myself: Was it worth it? The answer lies in the faces of the children we’ve fed, the families we’ve supported, and the comfort we’ve provided amidst chaos. A meal for a child in March, food parcels in April, classrooms in May, formula for newborns, and so much more—these moments affirm why we do this work, despite the personal cost.

This Week’s Updates

1. Expanding to Gaza City Hospitals
This week, we launched a dedicated soup kitchen in Gaza City to provide meals to three major hospitals. So far, we’ve delivered 100–150 meals per day to hospitals like the Baptist Hospital and the Public Service Hospital. The gratitude from medical staff and patients has been overwhelming, and we’re determined to scale up to 500 meals daily. Tomorrow, we’ll prepare 250 meals, taking another step toward that goal.

These meals are delivered by Omar, Fatma, and Yousef, Chef Mahmoud’s children, who wear vests with his insignia. When people see the logo, they offer a small prayer for him—a touching reminder of the legacy we’re building together. This operation is led by Mama Samah, a local chef who has brought her expertise and warmth to this critical mission.

2. North Gaza Kitchens
In North Gaza, our three locations continue feeding up to 850 families daily. The largest serves 325 families, while the others serve 250–300 each. Despite their own fears and displacement, the crew shows up daily, cooking with heart and serving their neighbors with a smile. This area now has over 23 crew members, including a large number of women at our beach location.

3. Al Zawaydah Kitchen in the Middle Area
Our largest operation, located in Al Zawaydah, serves 550 families daily. This kitchen is the backbone of our efforts, though its high food costs and demand present challenges. Still, the team continues to innovate, delivering meals that nourish both the body and the spirit. This is also where Hamoudi, a young boy beloved by the community, often visits with his kittens—a reminder of resilience in even the toughest times.

4. Khan Younes Kitchen
In Khan Younes, we’ve transitioned to daily operations over the past week. Starting with 150 families, we now serve 225. The team has pledged to never turn anyone away, ensuring no one leaves empty-handed. With your help, we’ll sustain this location beyond its initial seed funding from Communities Connections UK, which will soon run out. Daily operations cost $1,000, and the five-member crew is committed to making every dollar count.

5. Additional Initiatives
Beyond meals, we’re delivering four truckloads of water daily to communities in desperate need, thanks to our partnership with flo.pure. Food parcels are also distributed when resources allow, ensuring families have access to essential supplies.

Looking Ahead

Our immediate goal is to increase hospital meals to 500 per day within the next week. Tomorrow, we’ll prepare 250 meals, pushing the limits of what’s possible with our current resources. With your continued support, I’m confident we can rise to this challenge.

A Personal Note

Next week, I’ll be traveling to Egypt to visit my sisters—one a permanent resident, the other recently medically evacuated. Thanks to the cheap seats I booked, I’ll also spend a few days recharging and reconnecting during my day long layovers with friends in Paris, Amsterdam, and Turkey before returning to continue our work in Gaza. Please let me know if you are near any of those places.

End-of-Year Appeal

As the year draws to a close, I hope you find time to rest and reflect. Donations to the Gaza Soup Kitchen are now tax-exempt in the U.S., and your support has never been more critical. The coming weeks are pivotal for Gaza and the Palestinian cause, and every contribution makes a difference.

Thank you for standing with us and for helping to keep hope alive in Gaza.

Warm regards,
Hani
Gaza Soup Kitchen

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on December 5, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

Donor Update: Honoring #ChefMahmoud’s Legacy and Pressing On

"Dear Friends,

"This is my saddest update to date, but first, if you're new here—welcome. I’m so glad you’ve joined us, even during what has been an unimaginably difficult week for my family and me.

"Our Commitment to Gaza

"Let me begin by saying this: we are not going anywhere. Our kitchens remain fully operational, with three locations in North Gaza and two in the south. Every day, we serve thousands of families in need, and we are determined to continue this vital work.

"A Tragic Loss

"On Saturday, around 9:00 a.m. local time in Palestine, an Israeli drone targeted and assassinated my brother, Chef Muhammad. It’s almost unfathomable. A man whose only mission was to help others—a chef—was taken by an instrument of death. He wasn’t just a chef; he was a hero.

"At just 33 years old, Muhammad dedicated his life to supporting the people of North Gaza. He refused to leave despite immense danger, providing food, water, and essential supplies to his community. He loved and appreciated his life, honored his parents, was a good dad to his kids. Mahmoud even supported local hospitals with enough resources to sustain them for weeks. The things he has done has been already been acknowledged by the local community. Instead of awards and recognitions which he didn't seek, he got a missile meant tk kill bad guys not humanitarians like Mahmoud.

"He was detained multiple times by the Israeli army and always released immediately because he was a civilian, a humanitarian. So why was he targeted? Why was a chef deemed a threat? The loss is heartbreaking and senseless. But Muhammad died a hero, and we are incredibly proud of him.

"Media Efforts

"This week, I’ve done countless media interviews to share Muhammad’s story. While exhausting, it is a privilege to bring awareness to his legacy and the ongoing #genocide in Gaza. We’ve spoken about him on platforms like #DemocracyNow, Fox 5 DC, CNN, PBS, AJ+, and many more. These stories won’t bring him back, but they hold the Israeli army morally accountable and offer comfort to those who loved him. Also, special shout out to Chris and Janeen from IMEU for helping me and so many Palestinians to be present in the US and Global media.

"Muhammad now joins our brother Majed, who was killed exactly a year earlier. The pain of losing two brothers is immeasurable, but we march on—not because we seek grand statements, but because supporting our people is the only way we know how."

#NorthGaza #IsraeliWarCrimes #Starvation #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #IsraelHumanRightsViolations
#StopArmingIsrael #WorldWarBibi #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #BibiIsAWarCriminal #Genocide #GoFundMe #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #AlZawaydah #KamalAdwan #KamalAdwanHospital

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on November 22, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate.

"This week has been one of heartbreak and resilience. A young relative was tragically killed by a quadcopter in North Gaza while crossing the street to charge his phone. My nephew Omar, just 14 years old, was severely injured and has been moved between six overwhelmed hospitals, each offering only part of what he needs—a bed, a medical device, or a specialist. He is alive, and we are thankful for that, but he has lost a kidney and is facing uncertainty about his eyesight.

"Despite these tragedies, the work must go on. In North Gaza, we run three active soup kitchens, with one temporarily closed:

1. Al Sheikh Radwan serves 300 families. Chef Mohamed and his six-person team not only prepare meals but also distribute water to families in need.

2. Beach Camp (Al Shati) began serving 120 families but has now grown to 300. Chef Faten and her incredible 12-member team ensure every meal is hearty and nourishing.

3. Al Naser Neighborhood is our newest location, currently serving 150 families with a small but determined crew of three. ‍Kt will probably grow by the end of next week.

"The closed kitchen, our first, is now dedicated to supporting Kamal Adwan Hospital with food, water, and produce deliveries, coordinated with the World Health Organization.

"In Khan Younes, we’ve stepped in to bake bread for families struggling to find or afford flour. Hundreds of large loaves were baked this week alone, easing some of the pressure for displaced families. Education also continues in Khan Younes, where Ms. Fatema’s classroom offers a sense of normalcy to children eager to learn, now in its sixth month.

"At Al Zawaydah, our largest location, we provide meals for over 600 families. Dishes like seasoned rice, zucchini and eggplant stews, and fresh-baked bread bring comfort amidst chaos. Children and families know they can count on us, even as displacement and uncertainty persist.

"I know many of us feel exhausted, and Lord knows I am too. The pace at which we’ve been working is unsustainable. ‍This week, I’ve spoken with the media, appeared on The Huffington Post and the Israeli publication Haaretz, and addressed staff at the World Bank who are interested in supporting humanitarian interventions. I feel small admitting my fatigue when my own parents live with one foot on this earth and the other in the unknown.

"But this isn’t the time to stop. We must continue. Every conversation, every effort makes a difference—even when we don’t see the impact right away. The change is there, rippling outward. ✨

"So, please, stay engaged. Keep talking, sharing, and supporting in any way you can. Your solidarity is a lifeline, not just for those directly affected but for all of us fighting to keep hope alive.

"Thank you for standing with us and for being part of this collective effort. "✊

FMI / Donate:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-173221650335-4b67c31ca83d11ef&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b

#HR9495 could cripple #NonProfits like the #GazaSoupKitchen! #StopHR9495, #StopArmingIsrael, #FreeGaza!

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on November 22, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Hello and warm greetings to all of you,

"I'm honored to share an update on the ongoing operations of the Gaza Soup Kitchen throughout the Gaza Strip. Here’s what's been happening:

North Gaza—Mashrou Bait Lahia and Kamal Adwan Hospital

"Due to severe safety concerns, the family in Mashrou Bait Lahia can no longer cook for Kamal Adwan Hospital. With many staff members fleeing, Chef Mahmoud, his family, and my parents are among the last five families still in the area. In response, Chef Mahmoud made a bold decision—he moved everything from our Gaza Soup Kitchen warehouse into the hospital. This included over four tons of food and supplies: canned goods, flour, rice, pasta, lentils, cooking oil, tomato paste, diapers, wipes, baby formula, blankets, children's clothes, and more. This crucial delivery will allow the hospital to feed its patients for the next few weeks.

"The hospital staff was deeply moved by the support; it was their first in-kind donation in 40 days. The head of the hospital, Dr. Husam, embraced Mahmoud, who has a special connection to this place—his baby daughter was born there just four days ago. A miracle amidst the chaos, though there's no official place to register her birth or even give her a name. To continue supporting, our crew will likely start cooking directly from inside the hospital. Meanwhile, my parents remain steadfast, even as we mourn the loss of 60 neighbors from a recent airstrike, including our own relatives.

Beach Camp—A New Location in North Gaza

"After relocating west of Gaza City, Chef Faten has set up a new operating kitchen in the Beach Camp area. Today marked the inaugural day, and it was heartwarming to see Chef Om Ahmad and others from our original location come together to help. They managed to cook for 200 families. It’s bittersweet—children lined up the moment they smelled the food. Thanks to the facilities at this new site, Chef Faten can act quickly and provide meals to those in need. Your support gives us the courage to open new locations and scale up existing ones. We are also expanding operations in the Al Shaikh Radwan neighborhood, which has now been running for two months, constantly increasing capacity.

"Al Zawaydah—Increasing Demand
In Al Zawaydah, the team is facing growing demand; about 50 more people show up daily. They currently serve 80% of those who come, and the situation is dire, with many families relying on our meals. Due to theft of aid by forces linked to the Israeli army (as reported by reputable sources like the Financial Times yesterday), we're making every effort to meet the increased needs. We've instructed the crew to hire more hands, acquire additional cooking pots, and aim to serve up to 90% of those seeking food by next week.

Khan Younes—Providing Essential Support

"In Khan Younes, our crew is distributing drinking water each morning, alongside delivering baby clothes for newborns—a small but impactful gesture. A sister charity has hired our team to cook for them in the coming days, providing some financial support. Additionally, Ms. Fatma's class in Khan Younes continues to run strong, offering some semblance of normalcy to the children. It's one of the coolest things we can do for the kids.

"Our drinking water distributions remain a priority, covering four areas throughout the Gaza Strip.

"For those asking how to help, donations are always welcome through this Gofundme community or our website. Every contribution goes directly to sustaining and expanding our work in Gaza for our Palestinian brothers and sisters.

"Thank you for standing with us. Your support keeps hope alive.

"Warm regards,
Hani
Gaza Soup Kitchen Team

"P. S. Down with the regimes that support this genocide, lie about it, and create these criminal conditions."

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily?viewupdates=1&rcid=r01-173221650335-4b67c31ca83d11ef&utm_medium=email&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_email%2B1137-update-supporters-v5b

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on September 21st, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Hello and salamat,

"A lot is happening, so please take a moment to sit down and, as always, thank you for being here and being invested in everything we do. Please take a moment of silence for all the victims of this #genocide that is now spreading to other countries while this heartless world watches on.

"New data has revealed the scale of aid obstruction, resulting in a drastic fall in aid entering #Gaza. This is driving a #humanitarian disaster, with the entire population of Gaza facing #hunger and #disease, and almost half a million at risk of #starvation.

"As #Israeli military attacks on Gaza intensify, lifesaving food, #medicine, medical supplies, #fuel, and tents have been systematically blocked from entering for almost a year.

"Firstly, I am honored to report that the #GazaSoupKitchen was featured again in an #AJ+ production about #FoodResistance in Palestine. You can see the video link below, where you will see Chef Mahmoud in action. All of you are mentioned there for your solidarity and support. Thank you. Anything we can do to alleviate the Palestinian voices on top of our #humanitarian work, we will do it and do it often.

"Regarding food, we continue to serve food and scale our operations. Remember, our food is home-cooked meals of quality, not large volume food made on the cheap for photos. This is a real issue where well-meaning folks cook things that people are wary of despite their hunger, leading to hospital visits. I salute everyone who serves food made for fellow humans with dignity and love. In #AlZawaydah, we now serve an additional 100 meals weekly on top of the 350 families we lovingly serve daily. These one hundred meals go to a makeshift refugee camp that has reached out for help and you have answered. We may expand that down the road. In Khan Younes, our teams have started doing something cool, delivering meal kits to displaced families. Like 55 families received onions, cooking oil, garlic, and animal protein today. Three days ago, they received a different meal kit with chicken. I know that my family, when they see these items, feel upset because none of these items are available to them. One single onion in North Gaza goes for 25 dollars, can you imagine? #ChefFaten and #ChefMahmoud still serve hot meals daily and continue to see increasing demand, as only 83 percent less aid was allowed into Gaza last month compared to 34% the month before.

"This week, we held two health days in Khan Younes, one dental day, and one for skin diseases in kids. Dr. Ibrahim led both days and helped about a hundred kids in total. This initiative was funded by a few friends in Ashville, North Carolina, under the Sumud Collective. We were happy to remove the hurdles and send a doctor to help in the heart of the displacement where folks don't need to worry about safety and transportation.

"You should also know that the #HealthClinic in North Gaza continues to work daily. Dr. Mohanned, nurses Fadia, and Ahmad serve 50 to 70 patients a day with love and excitement. Nurse Fadia, with her bubbly personality, is everyone's friend. When women need privacy, she meets with them and asks the males to leave the tent. We provide about 24-30 prescriptions a day, all free of charge, and we are happy to provide these as we purchase them. Our weekly budget for the clinic is 1000 dollars, and the total cost to set it up was 10k. The most expensive item was the energy solutions #batteries and #solar panels, which set us back 3500 dollars. The bulk of the cost for the clinic was shouldered by a Palestinian family living between the US and the Gulf. We are happy that you continue to support these ventures to ensure we have the resources we need to meet the needs every day.

"On the water front, we deliver at least four water trucks a day, two in Khan Younes, one in #AlZawaydah, and another in North Gaza. Each water truck costs about 200 dollars and serves 150 families or so based on how many containers each person brings. Another #Palestinian family stepped up to help us hook up a school that is sheltering 80 families to a nearby well. We provided the pipes, water tank, and a pump, which set us back a little over a thousand dollars. When we shared an update on this, another family stepped up and said count us in for two of these projects, so we are looking into making this impact in other places.

"Lastly, on #education, our new school should be opening tomorrow, and with the school starting this Monday, this is important because to the best of our knowledge, no one else has opened an entire school in Gaza where we took over an abandoned souk and turned it into a full school with nine classrooms, restrooms, and an admin office. You should brag about this for eternity because it's so awesome and it solves a big problem for kids, their families, and the community. We have teachers ready and a school principal eager to start teaching the 270 students who will receive official transcripts for their education. It will be the first time the Ministry of Education approves such a program since the genocide started in Gaza. Please pray for their safety. And you want to know something even better? The school only cost us 30k, a very low cost for such an ambitious project. Take a look at where our costs are in the attached recipe (sorry it's in Arabic). We run a classroom in #KhanYounes with Ms. Fatma that meets three times a week, and kids need these steps towards normalcy. Many others are running similar programs on their own, but a formal school like we are putting together has not happened before, and I hope it won't be the last. I share these updates to inspire others to do the same. We have seen more #SoupKitchens open after ours did (a sad fact about the need). Our health clinic inspired others to launch their own clinic, and we hope this school will do the same.

"Thank you for your solidarity,
- Hani

"P.S. Remember, we are now a recognized US charity, and we would love for you to continue to share our updates and amplify our message because you know we both do this for our Palestinian siblings, and more people want to help. Nothing changes our commitment to doing the right thing without delay, and I hope you can join us."

#GoFundMe page:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily

Video:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAG63JixelP/?igsh=dDdrbGkzb3QwZTEw

#GazaAid #GazaFundraisers
#Palestinians #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #Starvation #GoFundMe #IsraelHumanRightsViolations

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on September 14th, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Hello and welcome,

"First, I want to express my deep gratitude to each of you. You and I both know the situation in #Gaza, as well as the #WestBank, has been nothing short of a nightmare. Every day, #Palestinians continue to bury their relatives, siblings, children, teachers, doctors, and friends. This reality is not sustainable, nor is it healthy—for anyone's mental well-being, especially for the Palestinians who have endured nearly a year of these relentless conditions. I thank you for staying engaged, for supporting the Palestinians, and for continuing to advocate for justice. Your support is vital.

"With that, I’d like to share some important updates, and I appreciate your patience as we navigate through them.

"I'm thrilled to announce that, starting yesterday, donations to our #GoFundMe page will now go directly into the #GazaSoupKitchen’s bank account, under our official American charity status. This is a significant step forward, eliminating the stress of having donations processed through my personal account. Now, we can continue providing meals, healing wounds, and caring for children through education and other small initiatives—all of which you'll hear more about shortly.

"One of our exciting projects is the creation of a new elementary school in #MashrouBaitLahia. We've transformed an abandoned souk into a functional space, and despite limited resources, we’re 80% done with construction. The biggest challenge right now is acquiring desks, but our team is exploring solutions. The local community is filled with excitement as they see this school taking shape, despite their ongoing struggles for safety. Once completed, the school will have eight classrooms, two bathrooms, and one administrative office. If you'd like to dedicate a classroom in memory or honor of a loved one, please reach out—no promises, but we’ll do our best. ❤️

"One of the most rewarding moments was organizing a health seminar outside our clinic, where we distributed diapers and formula to families with small children. About a dozen families attended, and it was incredibly moving to see their gratitude. Many of these families simply cannot afford formula or find it on the shelves. Thank you for making this possible—it restores faith in humanity and strengthens our community. #NurseFadia, who moved from the West Bank to Gaza 15 years ago, recorded a heartfelt video thanking all of you for your support. She highlighted the solidarity felt in helping families during this ongoing genocide. In addition to that event, our #HealthClinic served 70 patients with the help of two nurses and a doctor.

"Ms. Fatma, who runs a classroom for displaced children in #KhanYounes, continues her incredible work. ‍ This week, we sent Dr. Ibrahim, a #dentist, to teach the children about dental care and hygiene. He sent each child home with a toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap. Check out the photos on our social media for updates!

"In #NorthGaza, we've shifted from distributing food parcels to providing hygiene kits, including essentials like shampoo, wipes, sanitary pads, and body wash. People were growing tired of the canned food in the parcels, and hygiene products are a much-needed change. Once again, you came through for them.

"Our cooking efforts at both locations are in full swing. Hot, nutritious meals are being served daily with smiles and a lot of hard work. The #AlZawaydah location is now a cornerstone of the community in Gaza’s middle area, serving 300 regular families and seeing new faces every day. I’m proud of our team for preparing quality meals—some of them even gourmet—with the limited resources we have. A family of four in Gaza would spend at least $30 to prepare a meal, an unimaginable amount when daily wages in peacetime were just $8 to $10. Yet, our crew continues to rise to the challenge, serving their neighbors and fellow displaced Palestinians with love and dedication.

"#ChefFaten, my older sister, introduces new menu items every month, and the patrons truly appreciate our extra effort. ️ May we never have to live through another nightmare like this again. #ChefMahmoud continues to manage the kitchen and oversee our projects. Once the school is complete, we already have a principal and educator ready to take over its operations.

"All of this work requires funding, creativity, resources, and time. We give our time and talents freely, as we have done throughout this genocide. I ask that you ensure we have the resources to continue supporting our community whenever we see an opportunity. This is our culture, our work ethic, and our humanity. You have helped us carry through unimaginable hardship, and I hope you realize that this moment in history will inspire books, films, and countless stories of resilience. Thank you for standing with us through this devastation.

"Lastly, since we are now a tax-deductible charity in the U.S., you can ask your employer to match your donations. This will always remain a volunteer-run organization because we love serving our community. I have a day job that I love, which allows me to make a big impact for hundreds of thousands of people. Just last week, I had two media appearances to speak about the latest massacre at a school, which killed 18 Palestinians, including six UNRWA staff members.

"Thank you for your continued support and commitment to this cause. Together, we are making a difference. ✨"

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily

#GazaAid #GazaFundraisers
#Palestinians #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #Starvation #GoFundMe #IsraelHumanRightsViolations

Hot meals 4 Starved #Palestinian Kids in #NorthGaza

Update on August 24, 2024 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Good morning and Salamat to everyone here! If you’re new to this page, welcome aboard! I would say we’re happy to have you, but none of us want to be helping under such brutal conditions. I’ve got lots of updates today, so bear with me, but first—I appreciate you all to the moon and back.

**Gaza Soup Kitchen Update:**

"The crew in #DeirElBalah is on the move. They were ordered to evacuate, and after a few days, they finally did. Just 60 yards from their location, an #airstrike tragically killed seven people, and the next morning, as they were packing and taking down their tents, a #quadcopter fired at the people. Despite these challenges, they relocated to #AlZawaydah and took over our smaller location, cooking for 250 families. The new spot isn’t far from the old one, but they may move again to the western edge of Deir El Balah, closer to the beach, which might be 'safer.' There’s also talk of them heading to #KhanYounes. We’ll have a better idea today, but know that they will continue cooking despite the displacement. If there’s a way to help, we better use it—and you, of all people, understand that. Even on their last day in Deir El Balah, the crew purchased sweets and handed them out to kids on their way out. That’s how dedicated they are."

#GazaAid #GazaFundraisers
#Palestinians #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #Starvation #IsraelHumanRightsViolations

#AlZawaydah

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