Project 12 - Feed the Hungry

When we met the Pastors in Ukraine it was so inspiring to see how they are using the resources of the church to reach out to the displaced people in their communities. The buildings have become temporary shelters and the kitchens opened as facilities to feed them.

Many then relocate to other accommodation when it comes available and try to “settle down” in the hope that they can return east one day, when the fighting ends.  

As we know in our own communities here in Northern Ireland, food banks have become a part of our infrastructure. So too, in Ukraine. For many they are an essential lifeline, for others a welcomed bonus.

There is a significant food bank operation in Ternopil, led by one specific church that engages with many others to package and distribute the food on a weekly basis.

It appears to have been well funded from international organisations and so our engagement was through Vadym’s church volunteering to help with the distribution of the food. Their “New Church”, decided to reach out to the teenagers amongst the families in need. So, without any care for eating healthily, but instead giving what will make them smile, they put together teenage “food” parcels.

Then on Sunday morning of 14th May a missile destroyed the warehouse that housed the food for the main distribution hub. It is noteworthy that that same night, Saturday 13th a band from Ternopil represented Ukraine at the Eurovision Song Contest. A coincidence?

It was an easy decision for us to donate to help get the food resupplied and the outreach underway again.