Jennifer Garner expressed feelings of «guilt» as she walked through her home, reflecting on the loss of a dear friend amid the raging wildfires.
Jennifer Garner revealed that she lost a close friend as devastating fires ravaged her Los Angeles neighborhood, including the Pacific Palisades and Eaton areas.
On Friday, January 10, the 52-year-old actress appeared on MSNBC, where she spoke emotionally alongside World Central Kitchen’s Chef José Andrés and anchor Katy Tur about the loss of a friend from her church.
«I did lose a friend, and for our church community, it’s really painful, so I don’t feel ready to discuss it fully,» Garner shared, her voice shaking.
«She didn’t make it out in time.»
Garner had been volunteering with Andrés at one of his pop-up locations across Los Angeles County, providing food to evacuees who had been forced to flee the fires.
«My heart aches for my friends,» Garner said, reflecting on the widespread destruction. «I can think of at least 100 families off the top of my head, and there are 5,000 homes gone. It’s overwhelming.»
The actress, who has three children, admitted that walking through her own home left her feeling «almost guilty.»
She expressed, «What can I do? How can I help? What can I offer with what I have here?»
Garner was also photographed serving meals to firefighters on the front lines through World Central Kitchen’s efforts. In the interview, she commended Chef José Andrés for his work, saying, «It’s incredible to see. World Central Kitchen and Chef José come in, and it’s like, ‘We’ve got this, don’t worry.'»
Having lived in the Palisades for 25 years, Garner emphasized the desire of local residents to lend a hand in the aftermath of the fire. «We just want to do what we can to help,» she said. «Because of my involvement with Save The Children, I had the connection to Chef José, and I was able to ask, ‘What can I do to help? Let me join you.'»
The Palisades Fire, which began on Tuesday, remains the largest wildfire in Los Angeles County, having already destroyed over 21,000 acres in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, with only 8% of it contained.
Many residents, including celebrities, have had to evacuate, with several losing their homes.
Notable figures such as Adam Brody and Leighton Meester, Anna Faris, Cobie Smulders, and Taran Killam, John Goodman, and Jennifer Grey are among those who have been affected.
Billy Crystal, Ricki Lake, Cameron Mathison, Miles Teller, and Paris Hilton have also confirmed their homes were destroyed.
