ASHEVILLE – Local restaurants and breweries are on a mission to feed Ukraine refugees and residents with the help of the Asheville community.
Benevolent Spirits: WCK Feeds Ukrainians campaign, headed by Katie Button Restaurants, launched March 9 and will run through March 15. The fundraiser is benefiting the World Central Kitchen, an international organization that responds to global crises by going to the front lines and providing food to those in need.
“For this Benevolent Spirits fundraiser, we’re partnering with World Central Kitchen. They are always one of the first organizations to the frontlines in response to humanitarian, climate and community crises,” Mary Palles Byers, director of brand marketing for KBR, said via email. “Currently, WCK is serving thousands of fresh meals to Ukrainian families fleeing home, as well as those who remain in the country. We’re happy to join forces with over two dozen Asheville establishments to support their efforts.”
Benevolent Spirits: WCK Feed Ukrainians is a way for local businesses and community members to offer support to Ukraine as the Russian invasion endures. Participating businesses will donate the proceeds from sales of a featured beverage to the organization that has been on the front lines since Russia’s initial attack on Ukraine on Feb. 24.
Hot, nourishing meals are being served at border crossings to individuals who are fleeing the country, according to WCK. Distribution began at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in South Poland and has extended to eight border crossings and to Romania, Moldova and Hungary.
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Also, WCK teams have partnered with Ukrainian restaurants to prepare meals for people who remain in Odessa, Lviv, and Kyiv.
In 2017, KBR founded Benevolent Spirits to provide immediate assistance for those in need by assembling local restaurants, bars and breweries for the cause. More than $17,000 was reported to be raised for ASAP’s Farmer Relief Fund after Tropical Storm Fred in 2017.
For Benevolent Spirits: WCK Feeds Ukrainians, more than 25 local businesses have agreed to donate all the proceeds of one of their beverages garnered during the campaign to the WCK.
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse will donate proceeds from its Stand with Ukraine cocktail to the Benevolent Spirits campaign, benefiting World Central Kitchen, through March 15.
Katie Button Restaurant’s Cúrate Bar de Tapas and La Bodega by Cúrate will donate proceeds of its Sangria Rojo.
Ukiah Japanese Smokehouse has created the Stand with Ukraine cocktail, made with Gordon’s Gin, Becherovka and lemon and Tamayokucha-infused honey.
