Bistro 163 'pays it forward' to Ukraine

PORT CLINTON — Bistro 163, a nonprofit pay-it-forward restaurant, is conducting a fundraiser to support Ukrainian people displaced by the war. About 10 million Ukrainians, or a quarter of the country's population, have left their homes in the past month. Of the 10 million, about 7 million people are living in shelters in their own towns or have sought safety elsewhere in the country. Over 3 million people have fled to neighboring countries. According to the United Nations, this is the largest displacement of Europeans since World War II. More than half of Ukraine's children are no longer living in their own homes. One of the first needs of displaced people is food. As Bistro 163's staff and board, as well as our volunteers and donors, know, the provision of meals in time of crisis meets a great need. World Central Kitchen, a nonprofit that responds immediately in crisis situations, was serving meals in Poland to Ukrainian refugees within two days of the war's beginning. "You see, food relief is not just a meal that keeps hunger away. It's a plate of hope. It tells you in your darkest hour someone, somewhere, cares about you. This is the real meaning of comfort food," World Kitchen founder Jose Andres said. "It's why we make the effort to cook in a crisis." The group already has served more than a million meals in countries bordering Ukraine as well as supporting restaurants and other meal providers in Ukraine. Ed Carlson, Bistro 163's board president, said the local nonprofit has a role. "Bistro 163's desire to reduce food insecurity and build community, ties in very well with what World Central Kitchen does in emergency crises — both providing healthy hot food and building a sense of community and caring, are integral to both organizations' missions." Bistro 163 has received two matching grants of $5,000, one from Hal and Diane Hawk and family and the other from an anonymous couple. All donations of money through April 30 will be matched and will go directly to World Central Kitchen. All #PayItForward donations received from our patrons will be donated by Bistro 163. You can also send your check to Bistro 163, 1848 East Perry St., Sutton Center Suite 10, Port Clinton, OH 43452, or donate at the website, bistro163.org.