In a heartening display of community solidarity, Stara Bela near Ostrava witnessed a bustling Sunday morning as Ukrainian families from across the Moravian-Silesian region gathered at the local community center to receive much-needed food aid and Christmas gifts. The event marked a record-breaking turnout, with 1160 individuals from 413 families seeking support.

Volunteers from the Stara Bela parish orchestrated a remarkable effort, amassing four tons of essentials including food, toiletries, clothing, and festive gifts from various towns in the Moravian-Silesian region. The initiative saw collaborative contributions from fifteen parishes in cities like Ostrava, Fulnek, and Brusperk, as well as support from Diaconia Trinec and volunteers spanning different corners of the Czech Republic.

Vojtech Vlcek, the coordinator of the Stara Bela collection for Ukrainian families, expressed gratitude for the sustained support received since the project’s inception in March 2022. Notable contributors include Sylva Rybnickova, a doctor from Brno, who organizes collections in South Moravia.

The growth of the collection has been substantial, evolving from aiding twenty families at its initiation to supporting 1160 individuals in the recent event. Vlcek remarked on the escalation, stating, “When we started at my house in the courtyard, we helped about twenty families. Last fall, it was already one hundred and fifty people, and now it is escalating because in November we had eight hundred and fifty people and today already one thousand one hundred and sixty.”

Amid challenging circumstances, certain individuals have consistently stood out for their altruistic contributions. French resident Roger Tout delivers 1,500 eggs monthly, while another doctor, Zbynek Vlcek, donates ten food boxes. Local farmers further contribute with supplies of potatoes and red beetroot.

Recognizing the increasing need for assistance among Ukrainian families in the Czech Republic since September, Vojtech Vlcek emphasized the ongoing efforts to explore new avenues for gathering food supplies and ensuring the legitimate distribution of aid. Despite the adversities, the unwavering spirit of giving and community unity prevails among volunteers, creating a positive impact in the lives of those in need.

Article by Prague Forum