Recently, FPC Dallas received a financial boost from gas drilling revenues due in part to shortages sparked by the invasion of Ukraine and the ongoing impacts of the pandemic. At the request of the church’s Finance Committee and Elders, the Missions Committee was tasked with finding an organization that was providing relief to those living through and fleeing the turmoil in Ukraine to which financial support might be provided.
The Mission and Benevolence Committee voted to contribute $50,000 from the Blakley special fund to World Central Kitchen (WCK) for humanitarian aid to individuals and families displaced by the war in Ukraine. Chef José Andrés, the founder of World Central Kitchen, was the 2021 keynote speaker for Soup’s On, the annual fundraiser hosted by The Stewpot Alliance and benefitting The Stewpot.
WCK’s efforts center on collaborating with local chefs within Ukraine and in border communities to ensure people both living in and fleeing conflict zones have access to meals. “Food and community are at the heart of WCK. We're so grateful for First Presbyterian Church of Dallas and their community for the support of World Central Kitchen and our work supporting the crisis in Ukraine," said Maggie Leahy, Director of Donor Relations. "This will allow us to provide fresh and nourishing meals to Ukrainians and their families, bringing a little bit of hope to people who need it most."
FPC is grateful for the ability and the opportunity to support World Central Kitchen with this gift, and through WCK’s efforts on the ground, provide relief to individuals and families affected by the ongoing conflict.