Toledo Helps Ukraine (THU) shipped its fifth container of humanitarian aid to Ukraine on Wednesday, November 5. The container holds 24 pallets and 40,000 pounds of lifesaving supplies valued at over $92,400.
“This is our largest shipment to date,” said Alona Matchenko, president of THU. “The Northwest Ohio community has been incredibly generous—donating supplies, packing items, providing storage and funding shipping costs, which range from $7,000 to $9,000. Since the war began, Toledo Helps Ukraine has sent more than $500,000 in aid to Ukraine.” This latest shipment includes decommissioned firefighting turnout gear donated by the Perrysburg Township, Sylvania and Grand Rapids Fire Departments, as well as medical supplies from SMSRxSupply in Maumee. Although these medical supplies are past U.S. expiration dates, they remain viable for one to three more years and are critically needed in Ukraine, where hospitals and clinics have been damaged or destroyed.
The container will be delivered to a church in Kremenchuk, Poltava Region, Ukraine, where local volunteers will distribute the donations directly to people in need.
“Last year, three times as many people in Ukraine died as were born,” said Matchenko. “More than 40 percent of the population desperately waits for humanitarian aid.”
By repurposing decommissioned and surplus U.S. items, THU’s efforts benefit both the U.S. and Ukraine.
“We’re keeping gently used and surplus items out of landfills and putting them into the hands of people who urgently need them,” said Matchenko.
Founded shortly after Russia’s invasion on February 24, 2022, Toledo Helps Ukraine is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting Ukrainians impacted by the war. Since its inception, THU has shipped over 160 pallets of humanitarian and medical supplies and has assisted in relocating 67 individuals (18 families) from Ukraine to Northwest Ohio through the federal Uniting for Ukraine program.
