In the wake of Super Typhoon Sinlaku, relief is reaching some of the hardest-hit communities in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands, with World Central Kitchen serving up thousands of meals across Saipan, as residents continue to recover, dozens of local volunteers have joined forces with a team of 11 organizers working around the clock to get hot meals into the hands of those who need them most.

Marianas Press founder Thomas Manglona spoke with one of the organizers leading the effort, as this grassroots response quickly scales up to meet the moment.

World Central Kitchen is a non-profit, non-governmental organization, that travels around the world wherever they are needed after an onset disaster. Response director Sam Elfmont shared, "We have 11 of us on the ground, we're a small but mighty team. Our method is to use our people , I think maybe 30 volunteers behind us. Here at Herman's Bakery to then mobilize. We use local volunteers, and then we also hire locally."

Elfmont says they are at 3,000 meals as of today, serving on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. She's aware there are other non-governmental organizations on the ground. "How can we get to them with a hot meal, a bottle of water and make sure they're fed that day," Elfmont added.

They have partnered-up with local businesses, as she added, "We want to work with more local restaurants, pay them directly, get those jobs in hands, and meals out because for instance, when sandwich is coming from Herman's, everyone is excited."

Elfmont says right now they are feeding in shelters and doing what they call "last-mile delivery", saying, "Pockets of communities that absolutely needs the meals."

As for what she would like to get out, "I hope this brings more attention to the islands, you know as part of the U.S., and then that people are interested to step up those who are sitting at home to support to support the NGOs on the ground to get meals out."