My Experience At Volunteer Kitchens In Lviv
When I started volunteering in Lviv, like many foreigners, I found my way to the Lviv Voluntary Kitchen. It’s often the first place people go when they arrive and want to help. There’s always something to do, and it’s a great way to meet others who care. But as time went on and I settled into life here, I discovered other places too. Smaller kitchens, family-run projects, and volunteer groups quietly working to support the frontlines every single day. In this article, I’ll share some of those places and what it’s like to be involved.
Lviv Voluntary Kitchen: Where It All Began
My first volunteer shift was at the original kitchen, located close to the city center. It was a busy, slightly chaotic place with tables full of vegetables, boiling pots, and people from all over the world working side by side. In late 2023, I helped with the big move to their new location near Forum shopping mall. Together with the other regulars, we carried boxes, cleaned the new space, and helped set everything up.
The new kitchen is bigger and easier to access. Because of its location, more people now stop by to help or drop things off. It feels like the kitchen has grown, not just in size, but also in community. There’s always someone new to meet, and the energy is inspiring.
There’s also another part of the Lviv Voluntary Kitchen that not everyone sees. At a location on Tyutyunikiv Street, volunteers work to pack dehydrated ingredients into complete meals. Each portion is carefully measured, sealed, and packed to be sent back to the main kitchen. It’s quiet, focused work and very different from the chopping and cooking. But without it, the whole system wouldn’t work. These packaged meals are long-lasting and perfect for sending to soldiers at the front.
Сила і Міць: A Family-Run Kitchen Outside Lviv
Through another volunteer, I heard about a small kitchen called Сила і Міць, which means Strength and Power. It was started by a veteran and his wife, who now run it from their home outside of Lviv. They turn donated meat and other ingredients into high-calorie meals for soldiers.
They don’t have space for other volunteers to work there regularly, but I’ve helped them in other ways. I ran a fundraiser to support them and helped buy things like pigs and packaging supplies. I’ve also joined on specific days to help with cutting and processing. Their work is hands-on, practical, and full of care.
I first learned about them after another volunteer bought one of their meals at the Sunday market in Lviv. That market is a place where small initiatives can sell homemade goods to raise money for their own projects. It’s a beautiful way for these grassroots efforts to get noticed and supported by the community.
Plast Batonchyky: Energy Bars from the Scouts
One of the most cheerful places I’ve helped is Plast Batonchyky. This small group was started by members of Plast, the Ukrainian girl and boy scouts. Their main activity is making healthy energy bars for soldiers, and they do it with joy and pride.
The bars are made from dried fruit and nuts, which are ground into a thick paste using a meat grinder. Then, the mixture is shaped into rolls and covered in shredded coconut. If they receive other donations like socks, gloves, or sweets, those are packed along with the bars and sent to the front.
What stands out most about Plast Batonchyky is the people. They are genuinely happy when foreigners come to help, and the atmosphere is always welcoming. Even if you don’t speak Ukrainian, they’ll find a way to include you.
Why These Places Matter
These kitchens might not appear in the news, but their impact is real. They provide warmth, food, and a sense of care to people who need it most. Every meal they send out is a small act of solidarity. Being involved in these efforts, even in small ways, has been one of the most meaningful parts of my life here in Lviv.
If you’re ever in Lviv and want to help, there’s always a place to roll up your sleeves. And if you’re far away, there are still ways to support from a distance. These quiet kitchens are keeping people going, one meal at a time.