Leah Curley 

‘Solidarity with Ukraine’ promises to be delicious 

Bohdana Zwonok’s passion for the support of Ukraine is contagious. As she describes her latest fundraiser, it also stimulates the appetite. ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’ offers the best of classic Ukrainian cuisine in a choice of boxed meals, vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Each box includes a complete meal for two. Each course is vacuum-packed, frozen and ready to heat and enjoy. 

Never so tempting 

It all started a few months ago, when Ms. Zwonok made the local news, collecting basic necessities, which she sent to refugees in Ukraine through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation. The story was noticed by a ‘social entrepreneur’ – a new breed of entrepreneur, who works with foundations or groups and creates fundraising campaigns. 

Next thing she knew, Ms. Zwonok had a call from his company, Les fermes PB. “They said – We want to help Ukraine,” Ms. Zwonok said. Their idea was to put together boxed meals of Ukrainian cuisine, including classics like borsch, chicken Kyiv, potato pancakes, cabbage rolls, pyrohys (pierogis, to the uninitiated), honeycake… Has it ever been so tempting to help a worthy cause?

Top credentials
Fermes PB has done similar programs for Centraide and other charities and also supplies high-end hotels like the Queen Elizabeth. 

“They have the credentials,” said Ms. Zwonok. And so too does the kitchen brigade she helped assemble, which includes members of her own family, who are legendary for their down-home Ukrainian cooking. Everything, she promises, will be “homemade, authentic, folkloric.” 

Many hands, lower costs – limited quantities
This project has also attracted generous sponsorship, both corporate (Saputo and Fromage Bergeron) and individual (local translator, Alain Groven). This kind of help will lower the cost and hence the price of the boxed meals, and all profits will go to Ukraine, through the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, which takes only five percent to cover its own costs. 

‘Solidarity with Ukraine’ launched province-wide on May 23. It’s a short program, ending June 6 and quantities are limited. To order, click the link to the ‘Solidarity with Ukraine’ on either of the websites below. Pick-up locations will be provided across Quebec. Home delivery can also be arranged for an additional fee. It’s a good cause and a great meal.

Order today and Смачноґо! (Bon appetit!) https://www.cufoundation.ca/ ou https://fermespb.com