Poppy’s Ukraine Kit for World Central Kitchen

I was up at 5:30am yesterday as I often am these days, feeding my 5-month old, thinking about Ukraine, and applesauce. 

I’ve been watching like so many of you in awe at the bravery of the World Central Kitchen’s team in Ukraine, and was moved to tears by José Andrés’s impassioned interview with Anderson Cooper.

World Central Kitchen is a non-profit organization that provides fresh meals in response to crises while working to build resilient food systems with locally-led solutions. 

Their roots are firmly planted in D.C., just like Poppy’s. In fact, a couple members of their team are my friends. And on the sidewalk outside Jaleo, a José Andrés restaurant, my husband hailed me a cab after our second date almost 10 years ago.

As I was scrolling through WCK’s Instagram feed after putting my baby back to sleep, I saw a picture of hundreds of cups of freshly-made applesauce. For babies. Displaced by the war.

The image gripped my heart — my own baby, the center of my days, is just starting to eat solids. I can’t imagine the anxiety, fear and uncertainty that Ukrainian mothers are living with right now. I can’t imagine the intensity of that momentary relief, after fleeing your home with nothing but the clothes on your back, to find a warm bowl of homemade borscht waiting for you, and a cool cup of homemade applesauce for your infant. 

Today, I found out that my dear friend and a huge supporter of Poppy, Lisa Abrego, the Director of Communications for WCK, was in the kitchen in Poland when a translator shared that he heard from the Ukrainian women at the border that soup was not right for the amount of babies they were seeing–and saw the light bulb go off for one of WCK's chefs to make applesauce from all the apples. They had to improvise the single-serving containers, –you'll see they're cups sealed with stickers! But packaging didn't matter, and the team got food for the babies out in just a few hours. 

We support the courageous work of José Andrés, Nate Mook, Lisa, and the WCK team distributing nourishing food and fresh meals across the region to Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, Romania and beyond. 

Because of the generosity of our community, over the past two weeks we’ve donated $5,562 to Save the Children’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. 

For the next two weeks (and, with your support, we hope for much longer!), we’re going to be donating 100% of the profits of our Ukraine Kit to World Central Kitchen.

I hope these flowers fill your home with warmth, and that you feel good knowing you’re filling bellies, especially the littlest ones, in Ukraine and across the region.

Order the Ukraine Kit here to send 100% of the profits to World Central Kitchen's work in Ukraine.

Thank you, thank you, thank you,

Cameron 

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A little bit more about World Central Kitchen’s work

WCK began serving hot meals within hours of the initial invasion of Ukraine, and quickly set up at the eight border crossings with Poland. WCK's Chefs for Ukraine response has grown rapidly, and is distributing nourishing food and fresh meals across the region, including Ukraine, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Romania. 

In addition to WCK's field kitchen, WCK is working with local restaurants, caterers, and food trucks to provide fresh and comforting meals at border crossings, shelters, and other locations along their journey. In addition to hot meals, WCK is distributing bulk food product including produce and dry goods to restaurant partners in Ukraine to supplement the strained food supply chain.

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