Pizzas and coffee for volunteers in Kyiv

Hi, my name is Oleg Dulin. I live in East Brunswick, New Jersey.

 

Though I've lived in America for 28 years, and became a citizen in 2001 (one month before 9/11), I am originally from Ukraine. You can read my story here . But my story is not important here. What's important is the story of my friends in Ukraine.

 

I was 15 when we emigrated. I have childhood friends in Kyiv, Ukraine. Each one of them is trying to do their best to help their community in wartime.

 

One of my close friends from childhood opened a pizzeria in Kyiv in May, 2021. It is called "Art Pizza" and you can find them on Instagram here . During more peaceful times, they've sponsored bike races for kids  in a park nearby and donated some of their food to the homeless and the elderly. As many of you who know me can attest, I have a special place in my heart for biking.

Since the start of the war, "Art Pizza" has been baking pizza and bread and feeding the volunteers and displaced people in Kyiv. I personally contributed several hundred dollars directly to my friend. To put things in perspective, $1000 USD buys approximately 380 pizza servings.

 

This GoFundMe is a direct way to help feed volunteers and boost their spirits. Ukrainians could use all the help and solidarity we can offer.

 

I will transfer all money raised directly to my friend in Kyiv. All proceeds will go towards purchasing food supplies to make meals for volunteers and basic necessities like flashlights, batteries, bandages, and personal hygiene items. I will use Western Union, which right now offers free transfers to Ukraine until 3/31/2022. I will post screenshots of all transfers.

Our original goal was to raise $1000 to buy ingredients and we quickly exceeded it. The outpouring of support has been incredible — and I only shared this fundraiser with my immediate circle of friends on Facebook! Though the primary goal is to continue feeding the Ukrainian army volunteers and first responders, some funds will be used to bring basic healthcare items into Kyiv such as over the counter medicine, personal hygiene items, and bandages.