Volunteer Organisations In Lviv
Here is how you can help!
Here is a list of volunteer organisations in Lviv that I personally know and frequently work with or that is a common place for many foreigners to go to. Some of them are too small to receive volunteers for active help so often I help them with financial donations or donated aid.
Lviv Voluntary Kitchen
Probably the most well known for people that come to Lviv. Their activities vary depending on the location: the Main Kitchen (known as Khymnychna), the Packaging Place (also known as Tyutyunikiv) and the bakery (usually not a place for foreigners).
The main kitchen is where you will find most people in general. Activities include the processing of vegetables, fruits, loading and unloading vehicles with food that has to go to another place (they let only men do this) and the occasional random last minute task.
The location on Google Maps.
If you prefer a more quiet place, the packaging place might be more suitable for you. After all the food from the main kitchen is processed and dehydrated, it is brought to the packaging place at Tyutyunikiv street (hence the name) and packaged. It is a smaller location with just a handful of people depending on time and day.
Their location. (Entrance is around the corner in the basement)
Their Facebook group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/186026208839929
Places To Make Camouflage Nets
There are quite a lot of places all over the city where camo nets are made. All have their own technique and style. I will mention the 2 most common places here and will mention some other locations that are sometimes visited by foreign volunteers but less frequent.
The Library
The name comes from the location: the Lviv Regional Library for Youth. It is the most central location because it is right at Rynok Square. It is in general a very quiet place so perfect for the more introverted volunteers. You will find mostly older people here and they work a lot with blind people or people who are mentally challenged. The technique used here is knotting, like you do with your shoes, so very simple and easy to learn. Fun fact: you might come across furry mascot Oresta! Or maybe she became the unofficial supervisor by now.. 🙂
The location. To get to the room for the nets, you have to get up the stairs, go to the hallway on the left and turn left again. You will see a small sign and walk in the direction of Rynok Square again.
By Porokhova
Another popular location is By Porokhova. It is also in a youth/kids center but in another part of town. It is a bigger location than the library and they use a weaving technique here. The nets are fairly large in general as well. The people that come here are younger in general with more students helping out here. They have a beautiful ritual when they finished a net: they roll up the net and sing the national anthem of Ukraine. Also one of the ladies asks you to write in their volunteer book so they remember everybody who helped them out.
Their location (entrance is at a door left around the corner, after entering you walk all the way up the stairs). Their Instagram.
Lviv Opir
A location I recently discovered is Lviv Opir, which translates to “Lviv Resistance”. It is a volunteer hub in the center just south of the King Danylo statue. Founded by 2 people who are related to Ivano Franko University, they often have students helping out with their activities. They have a few big racks to make nets on and sometimes use smaller ones too. Besides that they have some other activities like making weather resistant matches. On top of that they send lots of donated supplies to the front too. And they have a cute dog!
Their location, just knock on the black entrance gate when it’s not open. Their Facebook
Other Netting Locations
As mentioned above, there are some more locations that you could check out. I haven’t been to these personally but know of other foreign volunteers who went here to help out.
– Library of Lviv Politechnical University
– Church of St. Olha & Elizabeth (at the back of the church)
For Volunteer Opportunities In Other Cities Or More Info, Check out VolunteeringUkraine
Other Volunteer Organisations in Lviv I Support Or Work With
Here I will mention organisations that I work with but don’t have space or need for volunteers. I support them in what they do and we often help each other out where needed. You can support them by donating! The names of the organisations/projects are linked to their website/page.
Сила і Міць (Power&Strength)
They are a small organisation that mostly makes ready to eat home made meals for soldiers at the front. It is run by a veteran, his wife and their family members. The meals they make are usually Ukrainian classics like holubtsi (cabbage rolls), buckwheat, several soups and more. I did one of my fundraisers for them so they were able to buy 10.000 of the mylar food pouches they use and 2 pigs they could use in their meals. By donating to them, fewer soldiers get hungry!
Power4Soldiers
Power4Soldiers was founded by Clarkey, fellow foreign volunteer. Because guys at the front need to charge their electronics too, he decided to make powerbanks from recycled vape batteries. Over time he improved his technology and lately even started to produce larger batteries that can power desktop computers, TV’s and more! By donating to him, more guys can charge their phones from within a trench! You could help one guy out for already $1,50!
Lions Of Lviv
Lions of Lviv is founded by Shannon, an American volunteer, specialized in medical training. Based in Lviv but often traveling all over the country, he provides Stop The Bleed and more extensive medical trainings & courses for free. Many people near the conflict areas already got their certificate so they can help their neighbors and family members when drones strike. By donating to Shannon, he can get more materials and makes it easier for him to provide even more trainings!