Tryzub makes perogies, cabbage rolls in support of Ukraine

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/05/2022 (1397 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dozens of volunteers gathered at the Ukrainian National Hall Saturday to create about 200 dozen perogies and 50 pounds of cabbage rolls.

The food-making session was organized by the Brandon-based Canadian Ukrainian Association group Tryzub. The Ukrainian delicacies are part of a fundraiser to raise money for those affected by the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“We are all together. If we can be useful, we do anything just to help Ukraine,” said Tryzub member and volunteer Tetyana Morley. “All our efforts are only to just help Ukraine. Hopefully, the war will be over very soon.”

Tryzub formed about a decade ago in Brandon as a way for the Ukrainian community to stay connected and foster national pride. Morley said the group has been transformed by the war and is working around the clock to find ways to support Ukraine.

The perogies and cabbage rolls were prepared by community volunteers who worked with approximately 600 pounds of potatoes secured through Brandon Food Rescue. Tryzub only had to purchase cheese, oil and flour to make the Ukrainian treats.

Tryzub organized the fundraiser to help raise funds to purchase items ranging from bread and water, to medical supplies, to drones for those on the ground in Ukraine.

On Friday, Tryzub sent funds to a member’s son fighting in Ukraine, she said, getting money and items directly into the hands of those who need it. It was emotional talking with the young man, she added, as there are concerns Internet availability will soon be lost as Russian troops advance and work to isolate Ukrainian communities under siege.

“There are still many people in shelter and with the Ukrainian army and they try to get some medicine, food, even simple water because kids are staying underground for two months already,” Morley said. “We are very thankful to people who are still donating to Tryzub.”

Ted Dzogan secured ingredients for the Tryzub food-making session. Dzogan is chair of the John Howard Society of Brandon board, a registered charity for Brandon Food Rescue.

Dzogan was in Winnipeg on Thursday and returned to Brandon with about 600 pounds of potatoes, 200 pounds of onions and 120 pounds of cabbage provided by Peak of the Market Inc.

“The potatoes are perfectly fine, but they’re either misshapen, too big, too small, there’s just some reason that commercially they don’t meet the specs of their customers,” Dzogan said.

Tryzub members’ “eyes were popping out of their heads” seeing the volume of ingredients provided, he said.

The partnership with Tryzub will be an ongoing project. One of Dzogan’s key goals moving forward is to find someone who can donate cheese to future food-making sessions.

It has been an exciting initiative to participate in, he said, because it is helping prevent food waste in Canada while helping get people fed in Ukraine.

“We live in such a wealthy place that our leftovers, our waste products have so much value that they can change lives throughout the world,” Dzogan said. “This is not a big ask — it’s easy and it has big results.”

The donation was especially meaningful as April marked the 100th anniversary of Dzogan’s great-grandfather first setting foot on Canadian soil. His father’s side of the family is Ukrainian and they immigrated to Canada fleeing Ukraine after a previous war.

As the great-grandchild of brave immigrants who were welcomed and helped by Canadians, he said, there is a responsibility to pay those actions forward to help the current generation being affected by the Russian invasion.

“It’s easy for me to empathize with the Ukrainian community and the war here and the refugees because it speaks to my father’s side,” Dzogan said. “The reality is, is that this is not new. This is what war does. This is what immigrants go through.”

There have been more than 100 dozen food orders placed since the fundraiser launched on the Tryzub Facebook page, said member Olga Boiko.

On Saturday, volunteers made 200 dozen perogies along with 110 pounds of cabbage rolls to freeze in preparation for future orders, Boiko said.

It remains critical to provide humanitarian aid to Ukraine, she said, as the war remains ongoing.

“We were talking in our group chat, Tryzub group chat and it looks like people start to get used to it. I mean that year we yes, we have war, yes there is war in Ukraine, we still need to remember that it’s going on,” Boiko said. “Nothing is finished and there is no end yet.”

Tryzub will be participating in different markets in May selling perogies and cabbage rolls. The next market is in Brandon at the Victoria Inn on May 15. Volunteers will also be in Neepawa on May 20 and Rapid City on May 21.

Tryzub is also hosting a donation drive to support Ukrainian nationals fleeing to the Brandon area. The group is looking for new or gently used household items to collect for those starting a new life in Westman.

Visit the Tryzub Facebook page for more information on upcoming fundraisers or to place a food order. Tryzub will be providing updates on how donations are helping those on the ground in Ukraine, Boiko said, along with information on how to help raise funds.

“We really need to keep going to collect those thousands and send them still. They still need them,” Boiko said.

» ckemp@brandonsun.com

» Twitter: @The_ChelseaKemp