Evangelist Franklin Graham announced this week that his organization, Samaritan's Purse, has sent over 100 million pounds of food to Ukraine as the country continues to face war with Russia.
"As winter sets in, things in Ukraine are only getting worse. Many areas have lost electricity, and food is impossible to buy in eastern parts of the country closer to the fighting," Graham, the president and CEO of Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, said. "Samaritan's Purse has been buying and bringing food into the country every week, and we are also receiving food from the World Food Program."
"As of this week, we have distributed more than 100 million pounds (over 45,000 metric tons). We are working with our network of churches across Ukraine to distribute this food to people in need and remind them that God loves them. We need to continue to pray that God will work in the hearts of the leaders involved to bring an end to the conflict that has brought so much pain and devastation," he continued.
As reported by CBN News, Samaritan's Purse continues to import approximately 1.4 million pounds into Ukraine each week, as well as supplies like blankets, winter coats, wood stoves, firewood, fuel, generators, tarps and shelter kits.
Pastors and church leaders who have partnered with the organization have helped take food into conflict zones in order to feed people suffering from the war.
"In some villages, there is no water, no heating system, no stores. Everything closed, but they need food. So we bring food there and invite them to evacuate, especially from that place where it's dangerous," one pastor said. "This is another kind of our ministry. Go there, bring food from Samaritan's Purse, and bring people back from that area—and it works. Our drivers, they are very good Christians. They are very brave. We pray for them every time when they go."
One ministry partner shared that the current situation in Odessa and Khersonska has been difficult in light of the conflict.
"Food assistance is very necessary because shops do not work in the villages. The roads are very bad, there are no buses for local residents to go somewhere to find food," the partner noted. "The transportation was destroyed by the war. Many people {have been} without money, electricity, water, and gas almost from the first days of the war. In villages that were under occupation, the food stocks that were in the houses have already run out or have been taken from them."
The partner also shared that Ukrainian people are receiving spiritual care in addition to food distributions.
"It is good that people receive not only food but also love, care, and counseling. Most people are open to God. Since the war, {people} have united to love and care for their neighbors," the partner said. "The war has changed people, and they are more open to hearing about God. Everyone knows that the church is always open for communication, overnight stays, and food."
Earlier this year, Graham traveled to Ukraine with Samaritan's Purse to help with relief efforts. On Easter Sunday, he delivered a Gospel message in Lviv in Western in a special service that included an 80-person Ukrainian Easter choir singing worship songs in both Ukrainian and English.
Photo courtesy: ©Getty Images/Jeff J. Mitchell/Staff
Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.
