Chicago chefs raising money for Hurricane Helene relief efforts: How to help

Flood waters inundate the main street after Hurricane Helene passed offshore on Sept. 27, 2024, in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall  in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges.
Flood waters inundate the main street after Hurricane Helene passed offshore on Sept. 27, 2024, in Tarpon Springs, Florida. Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida's Big Bend with winds up to 140 mph and storm surges. Photo credit Joe Raedle/Getty Images

(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Chicago chefs will be gathering on Sunday evening to raise money for the people impacted by Hurricane Helene.

For Chef Art Smith, helping people during natural disasters and war is nothing new, but his latest project hits close to home, literally.

“It came in the Big Bend area in Florida, which is only 60 miles from where I grew up … and my family has lived in that area now for over 100 years,” he told WBBM. “I’m a seventh generation Floridian. My family’s there, and they were very upset, saying they had not seen anything like this ever before. Whole buildings in town had been destroyed. It’s pretty terrible.”

Smith, along with the Chicago Chefs Cook community, is stepping up to raise money to feed and take care of those affected by the hurricane.

“We’re hosting a party on Sunday at Chicago Q Barbecue … from 5 – 8 p.m.,” he said. “It’s an open bar; there’s over 12 chefs, all you can eat.”

A portion of the proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen — an organization on the ground that’s providing aid for those in need across Florida and the Southeast.

Chicago Chefs Cook was founded in 2022 and since then has raised more than $1 million for humanitarian aid in the U.S. and around the world.

Sunday’s Chicago Chefs Cook event will take place at Chicago Q from 5 – 8 p.m. Tickets are still available and may be purchased online. Donations are also being accepted.

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Featured Image Photo Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty Images