Piscataquis County Democrats raising funds to benefit Ukraine
DOVER-FOXCROFT — The Piscataquis County Democrats are raising money to help feed Ukrainian people trapped in their war-torn country and fleeing destruction amid Russia’s invasion.
Funds will be donated to World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit founded by chef and humanitarian José Andrés, who has been working with volunteers and partnering restaurants in Ukraine to bring fresh meals to hungry people.
The Piscataquis County Democrats’ headquarters in Dover-Foxcroft will be open for people to drop off their monetary contributions from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, April 30. The organization’s goal is to raise at least $2,000, said Gail D’Agostino, co-chair of the service committee. The group is accepting cash donations and checks throughout the month.
Mainers should donate for humanitarian reasons, but also because democracy is at stake worldwide, D’Agostino said.
Rep. Richard Evans, who visited the headquarters on April 16, said it has been heartbreaking to watch from afar as Ukrainians suffer at the hands of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his “maniacal and barbaric actions.”
Injustice doesn’t have to rule forever, he said. When tyrants die, their power is relinquished, and when martyrs die, their power becomes enhanced, he said.
“With this gathering of the Piscataquis County Democrats today and in the days to come, I want to make it absolutely clear that we stand for humanity, health and happiness for all people,” he said. “We stand with the people of Ukraine.”
When the war broke out in Ukraine, World Central Kitchen served hot meals at border crossings in Poland, Romania, Moldova, Hungary and Slovakia. Food needs then quickly grew within the country.
“For residents who remain either in their homes or the millions of people who have traveled west and are internally displaced, we have mobilized local restaurants, expanding our response to provide hot meals at train stations, shelters, hospitals and directly to people in their homes,” World Central Kitchen said on its website.
Volunteers recently delivered hundreds of meals to Ukrainians in places such as Bucha and Irpin after they were liberated, according to the organization. The two suburbs of Kyiv suffered horrific destruction and death.
On Saturday, one of the organization’s relief kitchens came under attack after a missile hit an area of Kharkiv, The Washington Post reported. The city has seen near-constant shelling from the Russian forces.
Checks can be sent to the Piscataquis County Democrats at 25 North St., Suite A, Dover-Foxcroft, Maine 04426. People should note at the bottom of the check that funds are “for the service committee (Ukraine).” People can also contribute online by visiting https://secure.actblue.com/donate/pcdcservice.