DC-based celebrity chef and philanthropist José Andrés is promising to give out $50 gift certificates to people who have been recently vaccinated against COVID-19 so they can use them at his restaurants in the DC area.
Andrés announced his campaign on his Twitter page in an effort to help increase the rate of vaccinated individuals around the nation to 70 percent.
“Ok! We want everyone vaccinated!” wrote Andrés. Anyone who can prove that they were vaccinated after Friday, May 7 is eligible for the reward until the US reaches the 70 percent milestone. The gift cards can be used at any Think Food Group restaurant in the Washington metropolitan area.
Ok! We want everyone vaccinated! Starting tomorrow, until we reach 70% of total population anyone that comes with vaccine papers,that proves that has been vaccinated will get $50 gift certificate for any of @thinkfoodgroup restaurants in the @washingtondc area… pic.twitter.com/MuO0spnHzm
— José Andrés (@chefjoseandres) May 7, 2021
Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, Andrés has been encouraging residents to wear face coverings and supporting those in need by offering free meals through his non-profit World Central Kitchen.
In the wake of the January 6 storming of the US Capitol, the World Central Kitchen distributed free meals to first responders who worked during the riot. Andrés and his team spent all night making pizza, fried egg sandwiches, hot stews, and more for police officers.
The charity has delivered around 50 million meals in more than a dozen countries since it was founded by the Spanish-American chef in 2010. It has also provided millions of meals in the US during the pandemic.
Andrés launched the “Chefs for The Polls” campaign, during early voting and on Election Day in DC and other cities including Houston, Austin, Dallas, Atlanta, Miami, and Milwaukee, handing out free meals to voters waiting in lines through his charity.
When the COVID-19 pandemic first hit the region in March 2020, Andrés temporarily shut down his restaurants and turned some of them into community kitchens for those in need.
The World Central Kitchen team also traveled to Japan in February to provide food to the people who were quarantined aboard the Diamond Princess cruise ship due COVID-19.
Jose Andres and His Team Cook for First Responders After DC Unrest