European Deli & Produce Market
At the European Deli & Produce Market, you’ll find a wide selection of sausages, salami, bacon and more deli items, local fruits and vegetables, and imported specialty foods from suppliers in Eastern Europe, including Ukraine. Like many Calgarians, the staff of the European Deli & Produce Market, as well as their friends and family, have been impacted by the war in Ukraine. So, to help provide some much-needed support, the market has posted QR codes at its cash registers. Each code links to the Ukrainian Humanitarian Appeal organized by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation, allowing customers to donate directly to the humanitarian efforts ongoing in Ukraine. Cash donations are also accepted at the registers.
7133 11 St. S.E., 403-255-7564, europeandeli.ca
Kalyna European Food Store and Ukrainian Style Deli
Kalyna combines a European-style grocery store with a fully equipped kitchen that cooks up delicious and authentic Ukrainian dishes, including fresh perogies, cabbage rolls, potato and beets salads, and sauerkraut with sausages. Right now, customers can also make donations in-store to help provide relief to Ukrainians impacted by the war, which owner Tetiana Usenko then sends to support the Ukrainian army or to purchase food and hygiene products for displaced persons in occupied territories. Usenko and her chefs have also been using the store’s kitchen to participate in charity dinners and culinary fairs with proceeds used to purchase medicine or equipment for the Ukrainian army. Calgarians can bring in items to donate, too, such as knitted hats. “Everyone can help fight,” says Usenko.
7400 Macleod Trail, 403-457-0990, kalynastore.ca
17th Ave Thrift and Parachute for Pets
17th Ave Thrift is a store with a mission to support local animal rescues and shelters. The store accepts physical donations of all kinds, including clothing, shoes, accessories and home appliances, and gives the profits to organizations supporting animals in need. Since the start of the war in Ukraine, untold numbers of pets have been left behind, so, 17th Ave Thrift is matching cash donations (up to $3,000) made to Parachute for Pets (a local not-for-profit charity that helps low-income families care for their pets), who are directing funds to the Pets of Ukraine, an organization caring for Ukrainian pets until they and their owners can be reunited. Go to paracutesforpets.com to donate.
5065 13 St. S.E., 403-305-9677, parachutesforpets.com; 2631 17th Ave. S.W., 403-453-1305, 17thavethrift.ca
Love for Ukraine in Kensington event
Join the Kensington community on Saturday, June 11, for a fundraising event to welcome Ukrainian families to Calgary. The event will run from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature performances by Yalenka Ukrainian Dance and Ukrainian singer Ihor Bohden right outside Trapped and the Plaza Theatre. Food and drinks will be provided by Crave Cupcakes, Higher Ground Café, Chunk’d Cookies and Deville Coffee, all free of charge. The goal of the event is to create a festive and welcoming atmosphere for the city’s newest residents. Donations to Ukraine will be accepted at the event, as well as at different shops in Kensington before Monday, June 13.
11139 Kensington Rd. N.W., @kensingtonyyc