Syrian refugees in Beirut (Photo: Emily O'Dell)
It was very cold that week. I thought: What about the people in the Syrian camps?
I couldn’t sleep. I had to do something. Everyone has to do something.
In the midst of the devastating Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, some people are finding creative ways to help out. Barbara Massaad, a well-known chef and founder of Slow Food Beirut (who also happens to work at my favorite farmer’s market in Beirut), has started a cookbook campaign to help bring soup to Syrian refugees. She is hoping to raise enough funds from the proceeds of her new “soup” cookbook to build a temporary pop-up kitchen in Zahle to serve wholesome meals (including soup) to Syrian refugees in the Beqaa. On her Facebook page, she quotes Rumi, writing: “If you have much, give of your wealth. If you have little, give of your heart.”
This innovative approach to providing healthy meals to those in need reminds me of the visionary efforts of Gina Keatley, with whom I used to work at Nourishing Kitchen in East Harlem. Gina, who was once homeless herself, has become one of the leading advocates of providing wholesome meals and educational cooking classes to neighborhoods and individuals without ready or affordable access to fresh, healthy food. Through their culinary know-how and spirited empathy, these two women are finding new and creative ways to share their love of nutrition and food with those who need it the most…
