Baking for Ukraine
As spring gets underway, young people around the world have been moved by the devastating war in Ukraine. They’ve seen children boarding trains with their mothers at the country’s borders. Their small hands pressed against the inside windows as their fathers press theirs against the glass outside. A touch filled with angst and a depth of love that breaks not just their hearts, but ours as well. We all ask, “When will this nightmare end?” And until it does, “What can we do?”
Recently, Kit’s niece Helen and I had this very conversation. “I can write about the importance of caring about and helping the citizens of Ukraine,” I said. “You are an artist. Paint what you are feeling.” That same day, she painted an oil that now hangs in our home in Nevada City. A woman wearing a wreath of yellow flowers in her hair is standing in a field of sunflowers. Behind her, farmers harvest wheat under a blue sky. We call her “Ukrainia.”
That week, my friend Sue shared a picture of her granddaughter who had painted yellow and blue stripes on her face and arm—the colors of the Ukrainian flag. It was part of an art project created by S7udio that captures her classmates’ solidarity with the people of Ukraine. “We pray for you all, Ukraine,” the caption read.
For the past two years, I have worked with a wonderful team of women who have a deep concern for issues of hunger and food insecurity. In March 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic was spreading and we found ourselves isolated at home, we began The Common Ingredient—a food sharing website: www.thecommoningredient.com
Our mission continues to expand as new needs arise—
“Now, in our own period of crisis arising from the impact of COVID-19 and the displacement of millions of people due to the invasion of Ukraine, years-long refugee displacement from Syria, and other humanitarian crises, we are all eager to help—whether it is to address the food insecure in our own communities or to aid those in war-torn or struggling countries of the world.
“We believe in the centrality of food in nurturing humanity, in fueling our human potential for doing good; and we know that meals made for one another, served to one another, and eaten together bring joy, healing, and the best respite. And we know that the ground on which food is raised is hallowed and that the work of supporting those who distribute that harvest is something most worthy of our support.
“With this connectedness in mind, The Common Ingredient (which is LOVE) was launched.
“Here we share stories and recipes with neighbors far and wide. Much happiness and wonderful memories spring from doing so! At the same time, the celebration of good food with friends and loved ones reminds us to pay attention to the food insecure and undernourished in our own communities.
“We welcome you to enjoy this site, visit often, contribute your own favorite recipes, and focus on the needs of individuals and organizations within your own community or wherever food insecurity exists by offering your time, treasure, and/or talents in support of those in need.”
On April 1, a story and two pictures featured on the front page of our local newspaper The Union immediately grabbed my attention and lifted my spirits. Eight-year-old Sebastian McFarlane is pictured checking on the mixture for his pound cakes he and his friends made for a fundraiser to help families displaced by the war in Ukraine. He and his friends raised over $3000 and inspired others, like 14-year-old Amara Berry who is also pictured in the article.
After getting in touch with Lorraine Jewett—the spirited community columnist at The Union who wrote about these two young fundraisers in her Saturday column “Lorraine’s Lowdown”—she put me in touch with Amara. I’ve since exchanged emails with Amara and encouraged her to share her food story, recipe, and picture with The Common Ingredient. I’m thrilled to say she loves the website and is submitting her family’s food story to our “Youth Cook!” recipes.
Amara bakes her great grandmother Freda’s traditional almond Mandlebrot cookies and donates the proceeds from the sales to the UNHCR (the United Nations Refugee Agency). In addition, Google has pledged to match any donations made to UNHCR between now and April 30. Here is Amara’s food story—
“My Great Grandma Freda was a war refugee from Eastern Europe about 100 years ago, and because she had the support of people who cared, she and her family escaped to the United States. My mom and I would not be here now if it wasn’t for those who helped get as many families to safety as they could. So, the two of us are committed to raising at least $1,500 to help support Ukrainian families in need. We are each making cash donations, and will also be selling Mandelbrot, a traditional almond cookie from my Great Grandma Freda’s lineage, with the family recipe she handed down to my mother. My Great Grandma Freda lived a full life, taking her walks, baking Mandelbrot for her grandkids, and tending her garden well into her 90s. I hope we can help support at least a few other Ukrainian kids to have that same opportunity.”
Visit Amara’s fundraiser website for her food story and family cookie recipe. What a powerful story and reminder of why baking for Ukraine matters today!