After the Beirut explosion, Maronite priest Father Hani Tawk decided to respond to the aftermath of the disaster in a practical way—by cooking for those in need. What began as a small pot on a stove in Gemmayzeh Street has grown into "Mariam’s Kitchen," a hall in Karantina that opens its doors to everyone, where anyone can eat freely, without questions or restrictions.
The explosion left thousands injured and suffering. Amid this tragedy, Father Hani Tawk chose to contribute what he could. With the support of his family, he began cooking in Gemmayzeh Street for those in need. For 25 days, they worked on the streets, serving food without asking for names, backgrounds, or sects. Over time, this humble effort grew into "Mariam’s Kitchen," a community kitchen in Karantina—one of the areas most affected by the explosion.
Beyond serving meals, the kitchen extends a helping hand to detainees, people with disabilities, and families in need, relying on a spirit of solidarity and mutual support. Volunteers like Christiane Zein, who experienced the horrors of the blast, found new meaning through volunteering.
“Mariam’s Kitchen” offers an effective model of how to respond to an emergency through a sustained community initiative, built on unconditional daily support and a commitment to addressing need as a reality to be taken seriously, not as a passing exception.