12 Ways People Are Rising Up to Help Ukraine

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine can make you feel powerless. Unmoored. Frustrated. Losing your faith in humanity. I get it, because I am there right now. And while I know how cliché it’s become to return to that old Mister Rogers quote (“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’”), it’s true. People and organizations are rising up in all kinds of ways to help Ukraine.

To restore your belief that there is good in the world—and help you find ways to contribute, should you have the means—I’m sharing a handful of initiatives here. We’ve started out by supporting World Central Kitchen, and I created this list as a way to ignite myself to find more ways to be active and donate time and funds where I can. Sometimes it feels small and insignificant, but I can’t sit still.

How People Are Helping Ukraine Right Now (And You Can Too):

1. In its #chefsforukraine initiative, Chef José Andrés’s World Central Kitchen has stations near border crossings and in Lviv and Odessa, serving hot meals to Ukranians. You can donate to the efforts here.
2. People worldwide are raising funds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Funds can be transferred to a special account the National Bank of Ukraine created, following the announcement of martial law within the country, the Washington Post reports.
3. Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are matching donations, up to $1 million, to aid Ukranian refugees. Donations must go to UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.
4. In less than 48 hours, that $1 million pledge was reached. (But they’re still accepting donations, as the number of refugees climbs.)
5. Airbnb will provide free, short-term housing to up to 100,000 Ukranian refugees, all paid for by the company’s Refugee Fund.
6. You can donate money—or offer a property you own as temporary housing—via Airbnb.org.
7. The International Medical Corps has expanded its medical and mental health services within areas affected by the war in Ukraine. The organization is currently seeking donations to further expand its medical care, from providing primary and emergency health services to psychosocial support and COVID-19 prevention.
8. Similarly, Doctors Without Borders provides medical care during crises. To support those in Ukraine—and displaced Ukranians—the organization’s supply centers are rushing to create and ship out medical kits, and they’ve dispatched additional emergency teams throughout the region. To support their endeavors, you can donate here.
9. #StandWithUkraine has built a website where people can share (and learn where to attend) peaceful protests in their area.
10. As many report preferential treatment to Ukranians over people of other nationalities, it’s prompted concerns of racism at the borders. These stories have sounded an alarm, prompting media outlets to question officials in Poland, Ukraine, Romania and Hungary, holding them accountable for their border practices.
11. Bakers are rising up worldwide to use their skills for good. Andriy Vasylenko in Ukraine has enlisted family and friends to help him bake bread, using the supplies from his dry goods company. (His family recently started a fundraising campaign, so they can keep baking once their supplies dwindle.) A San Antonio, TX, bakery sold cheesecakes and merch, raising $80,000 for the Ukranian army.
12. A Charlotte, NC, bakery is offering a free cake to every Ukranian in the area whose birthday occurs during the invasion. Additionally, all net profits from a special blue and yellow cake sold at Manolo’s Bakery will be donated to people in need in Ukraine.

Lead Photo By Max Kukurudziak/Unsplash