The Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Starbucks Announce Donation to Support Humanitarian Assistance in Gaza

Known for developing quick and effective solutions to get food and supplies directly to millions of people impacted by humanitarian, climate and community crises all over the world, World Central Kitchen has built a network of kitchens throughout Gaza and neighboring countries that has collectively fed more than 42 million meals to Palestinians since last October.  

Working with a broad coalition, World Central Kitchen recently piloted the building of a jetty to deliver 200 tons of food and life-saving essentials along the Gazan coast, including an aid convoy to the northern part of Gaza that had been highly restricted. The opening of this maritime corridor represents the first such humanitarian operation to access the region in two decades. 

The Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Starbucks are humbly working with World Central Kitchen to help provide approximately 1 million emergency meals for those in need across Gaza.  

Through a $3 million joint donation to World Central Kitchen, our support is directly contributing to the delivery of urgently needed food and water to the people who are impacted.  

World Central Kitchen’s CEO, Erin Gore, shared with us, “We are deeply grateful to the Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Starbucks for this incredible donation. This support allows our team to continue to provide desperately needed food to those in need.” 

In addition, Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East and Africa shared, “Our position is clear – Starbucks stands for humanity – and that includes providing food to those in need. Our partners, customers and communities have felt the impact of the situation in Gaza and this donation to World Central Kitchen is a demonstration of our commitment to them.” 

Both The Starbucks Foundation and World Central Kitchen have a history in providing support in the region and in recent years this includes humanitarian response and on the ground support in countries like Morocco and Lebanon. 

Commenting on the donation our Executive Chairman of Alshaya Group, Mohammed Alshaya, said, “We are devastated by the mass tragedy that is unfolding in Gaza, and our hearts are with all those affected. We are committed to supporting our local communities and our partners (employees); through these donations, we hope to provide aid and relief to the people of Gaza.” 

We know more can be done, and, here at Alshaya Starbucks, we will continue to look at the impact we can make in Gaza.