José Andrés Says Jennifer Garner Jumped Proper in to Volunteer for L.A. Fires

José Andrés was desirous to step in with reduction efforts amid the Los Angeles wildfires.

The chef’s group World Central Kitchen — which supplies meals in instances of disaster — was on the bottom in California on Jan. 10. Jennifer Garner joined him in serving to the crew convey meals from eating places and meals truck companions to first responders and households affected by the fires.

“She misplaced a good friend [and] she was there like yet another,” Andrés, 55, informed PEOPLE whereas internet hosting an occasion through the Cayman Cookout at The Ritz Carlton, Grand Cayman.

“It looks like she was my good friend since childhood — and we simply met, we barely met — and there she was. I didn’t have to inform her what to do, as a result of she’ll all the time discover one thing to do on her personal,” he stated.

The restaurateur shared that Garner, 52, was “giving hugs to so many individuals” whereas distributing meals to these in want. “I feel that is nearly like a psychology fear that I do not assume anyone realizes, however that is so deep and so necessary,” he informed PEOPLE.

“All people that was in a position to present up even for an hour, for me, they’re wonderful individuals, as a result of they do not need to,” Andrés continued to PEOPLE. “A few of them are struggling the implications of the fireplace, however there [here] they’re. They usually do not do it the place there are cameras, they’re doing it the place there’s no one, and that makes it very particular.”

By no means miss a narrative — join PEOPLE’s free each day e-newsletter to remain up-to-date on the very best of what PEOPLE has to supply, from juicy movie star information to driving human-interest tales.

On Friday, Jan. 17 the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner confirmed there have been 27 fatalities on account of the wildfires, which began on Jan. 7. In the meantime, hundreds of different individuals have fled their properties.

World Central Kitchen has fed the frontlines as a part of catastrophe reduction in Gaza, Ukraine, and international locations everywhere in the world since 2010. After the L.A. fires broke out, Garner stated she used her “movie star privilege” to help WCK’s efforts.

“It is identical to it is advisable to do one thing together with your palms and so I took benefit a bit bit, of movie star privilege and referred to as chef [Andrés] and stated, ‘Please, can I include you?'” she informed NBC Information.

Garner informed MSNBC that she knew one of many individuals who died through the fires.

“I did lose a good friend, and for our church, it is actually tender so I do not really feel like we must always speak about it but,” Garner stated, her voice cracking. “I did lose a good friend. She did not get out in time.”

“My coronary heart bleeds for my mates,” Garner continued. “I imply, I can consider 100 households, and there are 5,000 properties misplaced. I can — with out even [thinking] — I may simply write out an inventory of 100 mates who misplaced their properties.”

“I really feel nearly responsible strolling by my home,” she added. “You recognize, what can I do? How can I assist? What can I provide? What do I’ve to supply with these palms and these partitions and the protection that I’ve?”

Click on right here to be taught extra about assist the victims of the L.A. fires.