US Actor Kal Penn has donated his $25,000 prize for winning the MasterChef Showdown to UNRWA, the UN Palestinian refugee agency, according to Middle East Eye.
But the movie star made an even bigger contribution: by bringing the suffering of displaced Palestinians to the American national stage.
In MasterChef Showdown, eight celebrities were brought on for a special edition for a cooking "showdown." Each participant would choose a nonprofit organization as a recipient of the prize money.
Penn, who is also a former White House official under the Obama administration, also tweeted to his 270,000 followers to donate to UNRWA.
Tonight on @MasterChefOnFox I take on @CherylHines in a cook off 4 charity. I'm competing for @unrwausa, check 'em out & tune in! #Refugees pic.twitter.com/aq8yiK9qCI
— Kal Penn (@kalpenn) January 2, 2017
A number of Twitter users tweeted their praise and support for Penn, including UNRWA USA:
No matter what happens, @KalPenn is our winner! We are DEEPLY humbled by your choice to support Palestine refugees. #MCShowdown
— UNRWA USA (@unrwausa) January 3, 2017
