#GazaSoupKitchen: Update on January 28, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Hi, Salaam, and hello everyone,

Thank you for your patience—I know I’m a few days late with this update, and I truly appreciate your understanding. It’s been an emotional roller coaster of a week, but off we go.

Despite the unbearable reality in Gaza, this week has given us rare moments of joy. We’ve seen heartwarming reunions—families hugging for the first time in 15 months, children embracing their parents, grandparents holding their grandkids. It’s a lot to process, but these moments remind us why we keep going.

At the same time, the harsh truth remains: most people returning to the north are finding their homes damaged or destroyed. Nine out of ten families come back to rubble, and yet, they return because Gaza is home. That’s why we’re shifting our operations northward, where traditionally 65% of Gaza’s population lived.

We’ve closed our two kitchens in the south, but in their place, we’ve distributed food parcels, snack packs, fresh produce, and meal kits—allowing families to cook for themselves. It’s been a meaningful way to serve, but our focus now is on the three operational soup kitchens in Gaza City.

#BeachCamp: Originally planned for just another week, but the need is too great to close. Many of our crew members lost their homes in #BeitLahia and #Jabalia, and they’re staying near the kitchen to serve their community. We’re keeping it open to provide meals for up to 400 families daily.

#AlNasr: Quickly becoming a central hub, serving up to 300 families daily. Our team is working hard to manage the crowd and ensure meals reach as many as possible.

#ArabBaptistHospital: This kitchen has been delivering not just meals but dignity—serving items like kebabs, rice, and fresh sandwiches. The hospital even gave us a certificate of appreciation, a gesture that meant so much to our team.

Beyond food, water is critical. Without it, people can’t clean up, rebuild, or even stay in their neighborhoods. We’ve been delivering four water trucks a day to #NorthGaza, and tomorrow will be our biggest push yet—aiming for 10 trucks. We’re urging all humanitarian actors to prioritize water delivery, especially to hard-to-reach areas like Jabalia.

We’re also working to establish a larger, permanent soup kitchen, likely in #Mashrua, Beit Lahia. The only thing holding us back is logistics—our kitchen equipment is stuck in the south, and we haven’t yet found a way to transport it north. But we’ll get there.

And as always, we’re dreaming bigger. Maybe we can revive the school #ChefMahmoud started. Maybe we can expand our support for orphans. But for now, we’re focused on the essentials—food, water, shelter, and clothing.

None of this would be possible without you. You have given so much to Gaza, and you deserve a moment of joy, of celebration. Every meal served, every drop of water delivered, every family supported—it’s because of your generosity. So please, take a deep breath and know that your kindness is making a real, tangible difference.

Additionally, I had the chance to speak with #NPR's local affiliate about what gives me, as a Palestinian, a sense of community. It was such an uplifting conversation, and the Gaza Soup Kitchen took center stage—because of all of you and the incredible things we’ve accomplished together. Every step of the way, every smile, every bite, and every drop of water has been a testament to our collective effort.

With gratitude and appreciation,
Hani"

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#Ceasefire #Hope #NorthGaza #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza

#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.

---

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."

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#AlShaikhRadwan

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"

Read more / donate / share:
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#AlShaikhRadwan

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"

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#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

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
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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."

Read more (includes Updates from the Field):
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