Dianna Fedun, UWO Toronto for New Pathway, Toronto.
On October 5, 2016 Ukrainian Women's Organization of Canada – Toronto Branch (UWO or OYK) held Potluck Dinner & Food Drive, a donations collection evening to gather food and needed items for the less fortunate in Toronto. In total, Potluck Dinner & Food Drive collected 194 pounds of food. The President of the organisation, Dianna Fedun thanked the members for their generous support in donating.
OYK relayed the donations from the evening to The Daily Bread Food Bank in Toronto – an organisation that feeds the hungry and the less fortunate. President Fedun stated that, according to The Daily Bread website, 32% of the hungry in Toronto are children, 48% are single family households, 51% are adults with disabilities and 38% have college or higher education. She also added that hunger in Toronto exists not because there is a lack of food, but because it is the result of high cost of housing, skyrocketing food prices and low incomes. Families are struggling to afford food and thus rely on local food banks. The President reminded the guests that this is a time to pause and think about those who cannot afford a bountiful feast.
Potluck Dinner & Food Drive is OYK's one of the major fundraisers. It helps to support and donate to the following:
– UNF Toronto hall and the children's Camp Sokil in Hawkestone;
– Konvali, an organization in Ukraine that trains social workers to work with families (organizer: Marta Buryc);
– Centre Dzherelo, who offers support and rehabilitative services for children with physical needs;
– Ukrainian Canadian Congress, who receives financial donations from OYK for purchase of equipment and proper army attire for the Ukrainian soldiers along with supporting at protests and assisting with packaging medical and personal supplies to be shipped to Ukraine.
OYK also donates to local community agencies that primarily give aid and support to women, children, the sick and the homeless:
– Women's Habitat, a women's shelter who takes in women and their children, who have been abused by their partners;
– L.A.M.P.'s Breakfast Club for Children;
– Dorothy Lea Hospice;
– Out of the Cold (St. Margaret's Church), which offers a warm place for men during cold winter. The program provides them with a hot dinner, showers, a place to wash their clothing, a breakfast and a box lunch to go.
These are but a few donations OYK makes annually. Other agencies that received a donation from UWO Toronto Branch within last year and a half include:
– Ukrainian Museum of Canada;
– Women's Habitant;
– Dorothy Lea Hospice;
– Out of the Cold Parish of St. Margaret;
– L.A.M.P. children's Breakfast program;
– Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko;
– Konvalia Project;
– Children of Chernobyl – Dzherelo;
– Ukrainian Canadian Social Service;
– Toronto & Area Council of Women;
– Ukrainian Canadian School Board Toronto Branch;
– Camp Sokil-Hawkestone;
– War Amps;
– Ukrainian National Federation National Executive – Student European Trip;
– Victor Sheweli Music Scholarship Fund;
– Dopomoha Ukraini (Aid for Ukraine);
– Ukrainian National Federation – Golf Sponsorship;
– Canadian Cancer Society;
– McMaster’s Children’s Hospital;
– Canada Ukraine Foundation;
– Leukemia & Lymphoma Society;
During Potluck Dinner & Food Drive, a reminder went out that OYK Toronto holds meetings the first Wednesday of every month at 7pm except January, July and August.
On October 30, OYK Toronto will be holding Autumn Afternoon. This is a showcase of Ukrainian historical sorochka's presented by the Ukrainian Museum Canada, Ontario Branch. We will be featuring an edited archival film of the Mamyna Sorochka narrated by Daria Diakowski.
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