#GazaSoupKitchen Update on April 28th, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Salam and hello from Seattle — racing to return my rental and catch the shuttle to the airport!

I was here to meet with our #UNRWA USA supporters and gear up for the inaugural Seattle Gaza 5K on August 3rd.
But my heart is back in Gaza.

Last week, we added a 7th soup kitchen location because things are desperate.
Now, heartbreakingly, we may have to open an 8th.

The need keeps growing while the food keeps shrinking.
Everyone is exhausted.
You see the videos.
Our family and crew are living it — seeing the bodies in the streets, in hospitals, at every delivery site.
This is their daily reality.
No words can soften it.

The sliver of good news?
American public opinion is shifting.
Israeli policies and practices are now about as popular as COVID-19 in 2020 — overwhelming, wrong, criminal.
There’s no "but." It’s just the truth.

One of our kitchens — where Chef Faten leads — has become the most photographed soup kitchen in history.
Every day for the past month, a reporter comes to capture it:
The endless lines.
The incredible crew — women and men — cooking under brutal conditions to feed their neighbors.
We fear for their safety, and she knows the risks of speaking out.

Friends send me clips from news sites — but none of it stops the nightmare.
People need us now.
And we keep showing up.

Even the reporters, who might have money and resources, leave after filming with a meal — because they, too, are food insecure.
That’s how widespread the hunger is.
This program speaks for the hungry.

Right now, we have about 2-3 weeks of food left — that's it.
Sourcing anything is already a massive struggle.

Our last move?
We sent a team south to try to find rice and pasta and bring it north.
Carts are banned. Rickshaws and livestock-pulled carts are all we have.
Nothing new has entered Gaza for almost two months.
People are starving.
Pause and really think about that.
It’s indefensible.

Still, we hold on.

We deliver water daily.
We run small projects — slushies for kids , bread, kids' clothes, haircuts — whatever we can manage to give them a glimmer of normalcy.
Small joys matter.
In a place where kids are being killed and wounded every day, a cold slushie is a glimpse of childhood again.

At our medical point, nurses and doctors are seeing 70-100 patients daily.
We keep restocking supplies when we can.
The nurses are the true healers. ‍

As for us?
We will not stop.
Maybe an 8th location this week.
Maybe another hospital next.
Whatever it takes.

Please:
Keep speaking out.
Keep believing in collective liberation.
Stay loud for Palestine.
They have suffered enough.
2023. 2024. 2025.
Let’s make sure this ends yesterday, not tomorrow.

In prayers and persistence,
Hani

P.S. For those who asked: my parents are alive (Alhamdulillah), leaning on their faith but tired, insecure, and worried for the grandkids they now have to raise while in their seventies. But it has also given them new purpose — and I know many Palestinians now find themselves in the same boat."

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

#NorthGaza #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #Fundraisers #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #KhanYounes #Palestine #Genocide #Starvation #IsraeliWarCrimes #NorthernGaza
Remember #ChefMahmoud
#HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal

#GazaSoupKitchen Update on April 10th, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Dear friends,

Thank you, as always, for being with us. We hope you’re doing okay—these are uncertain, overwhelming, and often heartbreaking times, and your continued support means the world to us and to Gaza.

This past week, our team had a serious conversation: Should we scale back our work because food has become incredibly expensive, harder to find, and money transfer fees have skyrocketed? Or should we dig deeper? We already have the staff and the ability to send funds (we did have a hiccup earlier this week that we were able to resolve)

We chose to dig deeper.
We agreed that this is not the time to hold back—it’s the time to do more. The community needs us now. Many larger humanitarian actors are parked at the border, waiting for access. We’re one of the few nimble efforts still moving—still showing up, still cooking, still delivering water, still caring.

So here’s what your support made possible this week:

We added a sixth permanent Gaza Soup Kitchen location—this one serves families east of #Jabalia refugee camp. Our pop-up kitchens continue to operate in central #Gaza when possible.

We’re feeding 1,500 families daily, plus preparing 300 meals for two hospitals: the Indonesian Hospital and the Arab Baptist Hospital. Staff at the Indonesian Hospital even honored our crew with a certificate of appreciation—a moment of light in very dark days.

Ten water trucks continue to deliver water every day, reaching 20,000 people across various neighborhoods. Five teams run this effort—each team gets two trucks and heads to two different areas. Water is life, and we do our best to keep it flowing.

Our medical point is growing. We added a private room for patients and doctors, and we now care for about 80 patients a day. We hunt down medications when they’re nowhere to be found. It shouldn’t be heroic to find basic meds—but right now, it is. Still, we keep trying.

And in #BeitLahia, our incredible women-led team organized a special day for mothers. They distributed scarves and a hard-to-find beauty product, and served cold slushies to women and their children. It was a moment of joy, normalcy, and love. It cost us just $400 and lifted a whole town.

We are so proud of our team. But we’re also tired. Every day, we see news about #humanitarian workers and #SoupKitchens being targeted. We read it with heavy hearts, knowing it could be any of us. The toll of this work is real. But so is our promise:

We will be the last door to close.
The last pot to stop boiling.

We say this not with bravado—but with faith, grit, and deep responsibility. Your support makes this possible. And we are so, so grateful.

Please continue to share, donate, and keep Gaza in your hearts.

With love and determination,
The Gaza Soup Kitchen Team"

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

#NorthGaza #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #Fundraisers #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #KhanYounes #Palestine #Genocide #Starvation #IsraeliWarCrimes #NorthernGaza
Remember #ChefMahmoud
#HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #IsraeliWarCrimes #BibiIsAWarCriminal

Holding the Line in #Gaza – A Personal Update (March 9, 2025)

by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer of the #GazaSoupKitchen

"Hey Friends,

Wanted to check in with an update on what’s happening in Gaza and what we’ve been up to at the Gaza Soup Kitchen. Things are still unbelievably tough, but we’re keeping the fire going—literally and figuratively.

Food and Supplies – It’s Only Getting Harder

Food isn’t being allowed in, and essentials like vegetables and meat are nearly impossible to find. Many people haven’t seen fresh produce or protein in weeks. Restaurants are shutting down because they simply don’t have ingredients to cook with, and the exchange rate is climbing again, making everything even more expensive for people who have nothing left.

Even with all that, we’re still cooking every day. We’ve managed to keep going, and right now, we have enough food supplies to last about two more weeks. After that? We’ll figure it out, just like we always do. We may have to scale back food parcels, but we’re determined to keep meals coming. Chicken is likely off the menu—without widespread refrigeration, there’s no way to store it safely.

Here’s what we did just today:
Cooked at all five of our locations
Delivered 75 food boxes to struggling families
Sent 150 meals to hospitals
Distributed 10 containers of drinking water

Life for Displaced Families – No Relief in Sight

Nothing is improving for displaced families. They’re still living in tents that don’t protect them from the rain or the heat. Supplies are drying up, medicine is scarce, and hospitals are barely functioning. It’s a grinding crisis. People are resilient, but you can feel the exhaustion setting in.

I know that for many outside, Gaza isn’t in the headlines like it was before. People move on, news cycles shift, attention fades. But the suffering hasn’t stopped—#Palestinians are still being targeted, families are still struggling, and there’s no real ceasefire in place. We can’t afford to look away.

The Money Talk – Spending More Than We’re Bringing In

My displaced Palestinian accountant (yes, really) sent me a message after going through our February bank statement. His exact words? 'Hani, you’re spending way more than you brought in. Maybe slow it down?'

I told him straight up — 'Not happening.' The community doesn’t need us to slow down; they need us to keep going. We’re not reckless, but we’re preparing for Ramadan—stocking up food, keeping locations ready, and making sure we can feed as many people as possible in the weeks ahead.

What’s Next?

We need:
More aid to get through
Access to essential supplies
Rebuilding materials to be allowed in

Until that happens, we’ll keep cooking. We’re not stopping.

Thanks for standing with us—this is only possible because of you. Your support means the world, and I hope you know that. More soon.

Hani

P.S. Please know that I hate talking about money—I’d much rather focus on the impact we’re making. But just to give you a sense of how far your support goes:

$30 buys a food box for a family in need

$200 delivers drinking water to 200 families

$8 provides a nourishing meal to someone who hasn't eaten in days

$200 runs our medical point for an entire day, providing care and comfort to 70+ people

Every dollar counts and makes a real difference in the lives of those we’re trying to help. Your generosity is what keeps us going."

Donate:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily
#NorthGaza #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #Fundraisers #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #KhanYounes #Palestine #Genocide #Starvation #IsraeliWarCrimes #NorthernGaza
Remember #ChefMahmoud
#HumanRightsAreNeverWrong

#GazaSoupKitchen: Update on March 2, 2025 by #HaniAlmadhoun, Organizer

"Dear comrade,

#Ramadan is here, and all hands are on deck for the people of #Gaza.

Today:

Five different locations that you support are serving hot meals, each offering at least two dishes and feeding 300+ families.

We’ve been averaging 150 food boxes packed with essentials and groceries. I’ve been telling the team: buy what you can while you can—because sure enough, the Israelis announced they’re shutting the crossings and denying aid to Gaza. Prices shot up immediately, supplies are running low, and without refrigerators, fresh food like chicken and produce will spoil. Aid is free, but when it's denied, people will search for it.

Our team has stocked enough food for about ten days to sustain operations, meaning we’ll distribute even more food boxes until the market stabilizes. This morning, we dropped off 320 food boxes in #Jabalia. Tomorrow, we’ll do more. This kind of planning only happens because you rally around us.

A well-staffed medical point is serving up to 100 patients daily, offering primary care, dental care, baby and elderly support, and physiotherapy—all working hand in hand to bring comfort in these incredibly difficult times. The clinic also provides essentials like baby formula and diapers for children, as well as free basic medicine for those who need it most.

Eight to ten water trucks are reaching different neighborhoods in North Gaza. Remember: no aid means no fuel, and no fuel means it’s harder to pump water from the ground.

60 care packages distributed daily to little kids, sometimes tjese jabe snacks, other times essential like cheeses and jams.

140 hot meals are being delivered daily to hospitals, nourishing both patients and the medical staff keeping people alive.

Our team is expanding, giving us more mobility to take on bigger tasks at lightning speed. Just yesterday, we secured 350 blankets and delivered them to tent communities within hours. We did the same with food boxes. The faster we move, the more people we reach.

But what truly weighs on me is the relentless scrutiny from voices—trolls, really—who comment on the food we serve as if a meal somehow erases the suffering. Every plate we prepare is a battle—to secure funds, to find ingredients, to cook in a place where even the basics are scarce. And yet, when we share a meal prepared with love, some use it as an excuse to deny the reality of Gaza.

We are more than our suffering, but our suffering is real. No amount of bad-faith arguments will change that.

None of this happens without your love, support, and generosity. You are part of this movement, and together, we are making a difference—one meal, one blanket, one act of care at a time. Thank you for standing with Gaza.

P. S. This week Sumud Podcast started sharing different segments of a two hour recording sessions I had with the hosts three weeks ago, I hope you get a chance to listen in."

https://www.gofundme.com/f/Hot-meals-in-gaza-daily
#Ceasefire #Hope #NorthGaza #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza
Remember #ChefMahmoud

#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"

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

Read more / donate / share:
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
#Ceasefire #Hope #NorthGaza #GazaAid #GazaFundraisers #FreePalestine #CeasefireNow #FoodIsLife #WaterIsLife #GoFundMe #BeitLahiya #BaitLahiya #KhanYounes #Palestine #HumanRightsAreNeverWrong #NorthernGaza #Gaza #AlZawaydah #KamalAdwan #KamalAdwanHospital
#AlShaikhRadwan

#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

#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