Project ADAPT

We started day 17 back with the Greek Orthodox Church’s warehouse in Kropyvnytsky, where they collect and sort food pictured above. The individuals or groups that are unable to make it to the church receive their food bags at home deliver one full of apples, potatoes, and a food box. Thus far, they are the only suppliers of fresh produce we have noticed.
 
After meeting the driver who had his 2 yr old son with him, in a baby seat in the truck delivering food, we loaded the truck at the warehouse and drove out. We first visited a municipal town office where we unloaded most of the food for families to pick up.  There we met the local team and learned about their operations, then got back in the van and did the door-to-door deliveries. 
 
Our last stop stood out to me the most. An assortment of individuals and families all shared one house just outside of town, and their hospitality stood out to me. Pictured here with Vlodya and I is a younger woman who served as a medic in the first months of the war, and now works as a medic in the town. She received medals for her bravery, and her humbleness spoke words.

The next day, we took a day visit to Kryvy Rih, where we spent the entire day with a group that serves the IDP community through “Shelter+.” It’s an impressive community center that has been functioning for more than 20 years – originally designed to serve the city and struggling economy – it has been transformed to also accommodate the IDP community from the south and east.  An amazing group of people, truly.
 
The group, all volunteers, includes efforts for IDP’s that include: food and clothing, child care so parents can find work, adult orphans counseling, information and re-integrations sessions for people who have lived in the occupied zones since 2014, multiple soccer teams, art camps, and even volunteer opportunities for IDPs. It is such an impressive organization, and I cannot thank enough for showing us Shelter+. We had one of the most meaningful conversations that I will remember forever, and I am incredibly in awe of his efforts.
 
Read the full story on our website.

Our first two updates are posted and published! You can now read both updates through either our GoFundMe or website. Tomorrow, we depart for Przemysl located on the Poland/Ukrainian border.