Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are doing their part to help those affected by the deadly wildfires in Southern California.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live about 90 miles north of the LA area, visited World Central Kitchen in Pasadena, California to help distribute food and supplies to victims of the Eaton fire on Friday, January 10.
PEOPLE understands they have focused on discreetly supporting fire relief efforts, bearing witness to the harrowing stories and strong community spirit. They donated basic necessities, served meals at the World Central Kitchen and connected with affected families and seniors.
Along with Jennifer Siebel Newsom, First California Partner, and Pasadena Mayor Victor Gordo, they thanked first responders, including LA County firefighters and police.
They later met with World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés at the food stations to praise the relief teams. Through their Archewell Foundation, they have also contributed monetary donations and plan to continue supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts with future visits.
In a video released by local news outlet FOX 11, the couple was joined by Andrés and seen talking to Gordo and fellow volunteers.
“They’re great people, great personalities and a big heart to come here and meet the first responders, meet the people who were affected,” Gordo told the news station. – It is very important.
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He added that Harry, 40, and Meghan, 43, “really lifted the spirits of the first responders” during their visit.
Meghan, who was born and raised in LA, and Harry’s time in Pasadena included a stop at the commanding post at the Rose Bowl, where “people were very happy to see them,” Gordo said.
“They want to be as helpful as they can … we visited some of the affected families in some of the burned areas in Pasadena and Altadena. They took the time to meet the people who were affected and spent time. They are just very caring people who are concerned about their friends and neighbors.”
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He noted that Meghan and Harry, whose Archewell Foundation has long-standing ties to World Central Kitchen and Andrés, had visited the center “anonymously” earlier on Friday.
No one knew they were serving food with masks, the mayor said.
Harry and Meghan’s appearance was not for “publicity”, Gordo said, adding that they wanted to “work”.
“We went to visit some of the families in the affected area and see first hand some of the affected area and then they wanted to visit the first responders and personally thank them for their efforts to help our families and their neighbors,” he added.
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at the 2024 ESPY Awards at the Dolby Theater on July 11, 2024 in Hollywood, California.
Kevin Mazur/Getty
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The couple also opened their home in Montecito, Calif., to friends and loved ones who were forced to evacuate, PEOPLE previously confirmed. Their Archewell Foundation also identifies the most impactful way to help a community in the midst of a crisis.
“Over the past few days, wildfires in Southern California have ripped through neighborhoods and destroyed families, homes, schools, medical care centers and more – affecting tens of thousands of people from all walks of life,” Harry and Meghan said in a statement at their official site sussex.com on Thursday, January 9.
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They have shared information with resources such as World Central Kitchen, Airbnb and 211LA, who have teamed up to help anyone displaced find free housing, plus Baby2baby and All Power Books, who are both providing supplies.
The Eaton Fire is the second largest wildfire to ravage Southern California this week. As of Friday, the fire had burned nearly 14,000 hectares and was 3% contained. At least 5 of the 11 confirmed deaths resulted from this fire, which is second only to the Palisades Fire in terms of destruction. Entire communities in the Altadena area were burned to the ground, and nearby Pasadena was also threatened.
Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the LA fires.
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