In response to the ongoing crisis, we have established this long-term fundraiser supporting free plant-based food distribution in Lviv, Ukraine.
CURRENT: Lviv Vegan Kitchen
Soon after Russia invaded, a few members of Vegan Ukraine quit their jobs to open a full-time vegan meal distribution center called Lviv Vegan Kitchen (LVK), as reported by The Independent. At first they worked out of a small vegan restaurant, but demand from refugees saw lines out the door, with more than 200 meals being distributed daily. Fortunately, they were able to relocate to a larger facility and we were able to successfully fundraise for a dedicated vehicle to increase their distribution.
PAST SUPPORT (2023 and prior)
Vegan Kitchen Ukraine
Vegan Kitchen Ukraine is an initiative of Every Animal, a Ukrainian animal rights group devoted to grassroots vegan advocacy, education, and animal rescue. Soon after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, their volunteers organized a kitchen hub preparing free plant-based meals for people in need. They have also sent 1,000+ food parcels to vegan soldiers, and are helping animal refugees through rehoming, purchasing and distributing food, and transporting animals to safety.
So far they have prepared and distributed 50,000+ free plant-based meals in 10 cities. Now they need an additional $2,000 per month in order to create and supply two meal distribution centers in the city of Dnipro, which is close to the frontlines where people urgently need assistance. They will be serving an additional 2,400 free meals per month in Dnipro alone.
Shelter Ugolyok
Shelter Ugolyok is a non-profit vegan animal rescue with three sanctuary properties operating across Ukraine. They rescue and provide shelter to hundreds of farmed and companion animals. Since the invasion, they have not only continued to feed and care for their animals, including feed transport in dangerous conditions, but they have also continued rescuing new farmed animals as well as animals left behind by fleeing refugees. They are also providing food to people in need in their communities.
Food Not Bombs
Volunteer Food Not Bombs chapters in Poland have been fighting food waste and hunger for decades by preparing free, hot plant-based meals for those in need, cooking with vegetables salvaged from markets and growers that were otherwise destined for the garbage. They have continued their free food distribution throughout the pandemic, and since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, have ramped up efforts to provide meals, clothes, and hygiene products to Ukrainian refugees. FNB volunteers set up cooking stands along the Poland-Ukraine border, cooking soups and other warm meals from morning to night, and distribute these along with water, hygiene supplies, clothing, and other items to refugees entering the country. Chapters also organize weekly meal distribution in their respective cities, and demand has greatly increased with the influx of Ukrainian refugees. Food and hygiene parcels prepared by Polish FNB chapters are also delivered to refugee centers around the country.