Food Security Poland Project #64510

5000 Packages for Ukraine

by The Krakow Food Bank

Project Report | Feb 23, 2026
5000 Packages for Ukraine" - Report Part V

By Artur Jurkowski | Project Leader

Volunteers distribute food packages in Ukraine

Project Report – 5000 Packages for UkraineFour Years of War — and the Need Is Still Growing

February 2026 marks four years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. What many feared would be a short conflict has become a prolonged humanitarian crisis. Winter temperatures, repeated attacks on critical infrastructure, and continued displacement leave millions of civilians struggling to meet their most basic needs.

The “5000 Packages for Ukraine” project was created to respond to this reality. Our goal is simple but essential: provide reliable food assistance to families whose lives have been disrupted by war — both inside Ukraine and among refugees in Poland.

Behind every statistic is a person. The stories below show why this support remains urgently needed.

The People Behind the NumbersLarysa, 82 — displaced from the Bakhmut area

Larysa says she has now lived through two wars. As a child she survived World War II. In 2022 she was forced to flee her home near Bakhmut.

For nearly 50 years she worked as a music teacher, raising generations of students. Today she lives in a small rented apartment with her disabled daughter-in-law and two school-aged grandchildren. Her small pension is mostly spent on medicine.

During air raid alerts she cannot always reach shelters due to severe leg pain and high blood pressure. She remembers standing in long lines at railway stations just to receive a bowl of soup and bread.

“I never imagined that at my age I would have to ask for help just to eat,” she wrote to us.

Food packages allow her family to survive and ensure her grandchildren do not go hungry. She now sings in a church choir and finds strength in the kindness of volunteers.

“I believe Ukraine will endure and peace will come soon.”

Mykola, 64 — caring for his granddaughter alone

During one of the bombardments in his hometown, Mykola lost almost his entire family. His son, daughter-in-law, and relatives were killed. Only he and his 11-year-old granddaughter survived.

They fled without belongings or a plan.

The girl lost both parents overnight. Mykola lost his child and suddenly had to become everything for his granddaughter — grandfather, father, and protector.

For him, a food package is not a gift. It is several days without fear that there will be no bread. It allows him to spend his limited income on medicine and clothing for a growing child.

Humanitarian aid gives him something equally important: the ability to provide safety and a small sense of normal childhood for his granddaughter despite the war.

Olena — a widowed mother of two

Olena’s husband was killed on the front line defending Ukraine. As she tried to help her children understand that their father would never come home, their house was shelled. They also lost extended family members.

In one moment, not only their home but their entire support system disappeared.

Today she is both mother and father to her children. They still ask about their father. Her daily goal is simple — keep them safe and fed.

Food assistance means her children do not go to sleep hungry and allows her a moment to focus on rebuilding their lives instead of constantly worrying about the next meal.

What We Have Done

Since February 2022, the Krakow Food Bank has supported war-affected communities in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Within the “5000 Packages for Ukraine” initiative (launched July 2024), we have delivered:

237,943 kg of food assistance valued at $809,152.4

Current reporting period (November 2025 – February 2026)

Poland: 28,809.816 kg | $109,547.2
Ukraine: 16,065.636 kg | $57,320
Total: 44,875.4525 kg | $166,867.2

Food reached communities in:
Kherson, Kharkiv, Sumy, Lviv, Zaporizhzhia, Kremenets, Lyman, Poltava, Kyiv, frontline areas, Chernihiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Rivne, Donetsk region, Kramatorsk, Ternopil, Zbarazh, Novohryhorivka, Krasnokutsk, Bohatyrivka, Sloviansk, and Izium.

In October we also prepared 10 tons of food, including 750 parcels packed by employee volunteers from International Paper and Discover International, which were delivered directly to families in Ukraine.

Refugees in Poland

Support inside Ukraine is only part of the story.

Kraków alone still hosts over 50,000 Ukrainian refugees. Many continue to face unstable housing, rising living costs, and barriers to employment and healthcare. For elderly people, single parents, and people with disabilities, regular food assistance often determines whether they can pay rent or buy medicine.

Our partner organizations helping deliver assistance include:

HOPE HARMONY FOUNDATION
Misja Sowianska w Europie
Church of Jesus Christ Pentecostal Congregation (Kraków)
Fundacja Team Kraków
Salezjanski Ruch Troski o Modziez SALTROM
Church of God “Grace of Christ” (Kraków)

Why This Matters

Humanitarian aid does more than provide calories.

It provides:

stability in unstable conditions
protection of health and hygiene
psychological relief
dignity for families who lost everything
hope that they have not been forgotten

For many displaced people — especially elderly individuals — the choice is often between buying food, medicine, or paying rent. Food assistance prevents that choice from becoming life-threatening.

Gratitude to Our Donors

This project exists because of you.

Your support means a grandmother can feed her grandchildren, a grandfather can care for an orphaned child, and a widowed mother can keep her family together.

Every package delivered sends a powerful message: people far away still care.

Looking Ahead

We continue working toward our goal of delivering 5,000 food packages. The war has entered its fourth year, and humanitarian needs remain high. Energy shortages, winter conditions, and ongoing attacks continue to put civilians at risk.

With your continued partnership, we can respond faster, reach more families, and remain present for those who have lost almost everything.

Thank you for standing with us — and with the people of Ukraine.
Together, we are feeding hope.

Food packages prepared with the support of GG

Winter conditions

nutrition and reassurance

Displaced children

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Oct 29, 2025
"5000 Packages for Ukraine" - Report Part IV

By Artur Jurkowski | Project Leader

Report on the "5000 Packages for Ukraine" Project

Project Overview:
The "5000 Packages for Ukraine" project was initiated in response to the escalating humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian Federation's invasion of Ukraine. Millions of civilians — both those who remain in Ukraine and those who have sought refuge in neighboring countries like Poland — continue to face critical challenges. Through this project, we aim to provide essential food assistance to alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable.

Project Implementation:
Since February 2022, the Krakow Food Bank has been committed to supporting both war-affected communities in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees living in Poland. As part of the "5000 Packages for Ukraine" initiative launched in July 2024, we have delivered a total of 199,824.434 kg of food to people in need, with a combined value of $642,285.

Breakdown of support provided from July 2024 to October 2025:

In Poland: 183,758.798 kg of food worth $547,299
In Ukraine: 16,065.636 kg of food worth $94,986

In the current reporting period (July to October 2025) alone:

In Poland: 47,164.48 kg of food worth $136,679
In Ukraine: 3,045.47 kg of food worth $19,795
Total: 50,209.95 kg of assistance worth $156,474

Ongoing Efforts and Future Deliveries:
This project continues to evolve. In the second half of October, we prepared an additional 10 tons of food for shipment to Ukraine, including 750 food parcels packed by employee volunteers from International Paper and Discover International. We’ve included photos of these recent volunteer activities.

At the same time, support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland — especially in Kraków, which still hosts over 50,000 Ukrainian refugees — remains a central priority. Many individuals and families continue to depend on food assistance as they navigate economic uncertainty, unstable housing, and barriers to employment and healthcare.

We are also witnessing a rise in anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Polish society, fueled by nationalist political parties. Acts of solidarity with Ukrainian refugees are increasingly criticized by these groups. This growing tension creates an additional challenge for Polish NGOs that have remained committed to supporting victims of the conflict since February 2022.

Long-Term Impact and Sustainability:
The "5000 Packages for Ukraine" initiative continues to support the long-term stability and recovery of vulnerable communities — both inside Ukraine and within the refugee population in Poland. Our efforts strengthen the capacity of local NGOs, reduce food insecurity, and reaffirm our shared commitment to human dignity.

Gratitude to Our Donors
This project would not be possible without the unwavering generosity of GlobalGiving donors. Thanks to your support, food has reached families living in areas affected by shelling in Ukraine, and refugees in Kraków have found comfort, dignity, and renewed hope. Each food package delivered is more than just nourishment — it is a sign that they are not alone.

Looking Ahead
As we continue working toward our goal of delivering 5,000 food packages, we are reminded daily that the crisis is ongoing. Vulnerable populations in Ukraine still urgently need support, and tens of thousands of refugees in Poland continue the long process of rebuilding their lives.

With your continued partnership, we can reach more people, respond more quickly, and ensure that no one is left behind.

Thank you for standing with us — and with the people of Ukraine. Together, we are feeding hope.

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Jul 1, 2025
"5000 Packages for Ukraine" - Report Part III

By Artur Jurkowski | Project Leader

Project Overview:
The "5000 Packages for Ukraine" project was launched in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine caused by the Russian Federation's aggressive actions. Millions of people, both within Ukraine and those who have sought refuge in neighboring countries such as Poland, continue to face dire circumstances. Our initiative aims to alleviate the suffering of those affected by delivering essential food aid to vulnerable populations.

Project Implementation:
Since February 2022, the Krakow Food Bank has remained committed to supporting war-affected communities in Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees in Poland. Within the framework of the "5000 Packages for Ukraine" project — launched in July 2024 — we have already delivered 146,818.829 kg of food to people in need.

Of this total:

133,798.663 kg was distributed in Poland to support Ukrainian refugees through our local aid network,
13,020.166 kg was delivered directly to Ukraine in the form of individual food packages reaching families in areas where the need was most urgent.

In addition, through collaboration with our Ukrainian partner organizations, we successfully facilitated the delivery of another 1,000 food packages — totaling 14,500 kg — to vulnerable communities across the country.

This progress would not have been possible without the strong partnerships we have built with Polish and Ukrainian NGOs, who continue to operate in extremely challenging conditions. Their courage and dedication ensure that food aid reaches civilians even in frontline areas such as Kherson, Kharkiv, and Odessa. Despite logistical difficulties and security concerns, our joint efforts are making a tangible difference every day.

Ongoing Efforts and Future Deliveries:
The aid does not stop here. With the continued support of our partners and donors, we are steadily progressing toward our target of 5,000 food packages for Ukraine. Additional deliveries are planned in the coming months, both within Poland and directly to conflict-affected regions in Ukraine.

At the same time, support for Ukrainian refugees in Poland — especially in Kraków, where more than 50,000 refugees still reside — remains a vital part of our mission. Many of them continue to rely on food aid as they face financial uncertainty, housing instability, and challenges in accessing the job market or healthcare.

Challenges Encountered:
While the project has achieved meaningful results, it has not been without difficulties. Delivering aid to war-affected regions involves complex logistics, disrupted supply chains, and ongoing safety concerns. Transportation to frontline areas often requires rerouting, additional permits, or close coordination with local authorities and community leaders. Despite these challenges, we have maintained regular food deliveries thanks to the commitment of our volunteers, the resilience of our partner organizations, and the consistent generosity of GlobalGiving donors.

Long-Term Impact and Sustainability:
The "5000 Packages for Ukraine" initiative continues to contribute to the long-term stability and recovery of vulnerable communities — both in Ukraine and among the refugee population in Poland.

Our efforts have:

Strengthened Local NGOs: We have empowered our Ukrainian and Polish partners by building logistical capacity and creating long-term collaboration models.
Facilitated Recovery and Rebuilding: Ongoing aid helps reduce food insecurity and provides communities with the stability they need to begin rebuilding.
Promoted Global Responsibility: The commitment of our donors affirms that humanitarian values transcend borders and that together we can uphold dignity and hope, even in times of war.

As Oleg, a refugee from Kharkiv who now volunteers in Kraków, told us:
“Here, I found not just food, but a sense of purpose again. Helping others who are going through what I went through keeps me going.”

Iryna, a mather of three from Mykolaiv, added:
“We are doing everything to build a new life, but we still need help to feed our children. This support is a bridge between survival and hope.”

Gratitude to Our Donors
This project would not be possible without the unwavering generosity of GlobalGiving donors. Thanks to your support, food has reached families in shelled Ukrainian towns, and refugees in Kraków have found relief, dignity, and renewed hope. Every package delivered represents not just nutrition — but a message that they are not forgotten.

Your contributions have helped us provide over 146 tons of food to people in need since July 2024 — and we are not stopping.

Looking Ahead
As we continue working toward our goal of delivering 5,000 food packages, we are reminded every day that this crisis is far from over. Vulnerable communities across Ukraine still need urgent support, and tens of thousands of refugees in Poland continue to rebuild their lives from scratch.

With your continued partnership, we can go further — reaching more people, responding faster, and ensuring that no one is left behind.

Thank you for standing with us, and with the people of Ukraine. Together, we are feeding hope.

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