Hani Almadhoun, based in Alexandria, Va., was deeply distressed by the sight of his family in Gaza facing starvation.
Despite the distance and the insufficient humanitarian assistance reaching Palestinians, Hani, along with his brother Mahmoud, who was stuck in the conflict zone, took decisive action. They established a small family-run soup kitchen to address the impending famine in Gaza, where the majority of the population is already experiencing "catastrophic" levels of hunger, according to a UN-backed report.
The urgency became even more pronounced when several aid groups suspended operations in Gaza following the deaths of seven World Central Kitchen workers in an Israeli bombing, which Israel later acknowledged as a "grave mistake."
Having already lost many loved ones to the six-month-long war, the Almadhoun brothers were now determined to prevent further deaths from starvation, including their parents.
Starting modestly, the soup kitchen initially relied on basic supplies like tomato paste, cooking oil, and firewood. They repurposed corn and grain intended for animals, such as rabbits and pigeons, to create meals for families in need.
What began with feeding about 120 families quickly expanded, with the kitchen now providing sustenance to around 3,000 people daily, with ambitions to serve even more.
In Gaza, where essentials like rice and flour are prohibitively expensive for most, the soup kitchen has become a lifeline. Hani managed to raise significant funds online, which are sent directly to his family in Gaza to purchase food at local markets.
This grassroots approach bypasses much of the bureaucracy faced by international aid agencies, allowing for quicker and more direct relief efforts.
The initiative has garnered widespread support, with donations pouring in, particularly during Ramadan. The GoFundMe campaign for the soup kitchen has raised $250,000 in just two weeks.
The Almadhoun family is now looking to expand their efforts by opening a second soup kitchen in Rafah, the southernmost city in Gaza, where over 1.4 million people are seeking shelter.
For the Almadhoun brothers, this mission has not only provided essential nourishment but has also strengthened their bond in unforeseen ways.
What started as a response to a dire humanitarian crisis has evolved into a source of hope and solidarity for their community, demonstrating that a hot meal can mean much more than just food—it signifies survival and acknowledgment of one's humanity in the midst of war.