Samaritan’s Purse has provided more than 284 million pounds of food in war-torn Ukraine. Our work continues in 2026.
Over nearly four years, Samaritan’s Purse has distributed enough food to war-weary Ukrainians to fill over 6,400 18-wheeler trucks. If placed in a line, those trucks would stretch more than 92 miles.
But for Alexander*, Olena*, Oksana*, and Andrii*, these groceries delivered through local churches are not just a staggering statistic, they offer strength to handle another outage of power, heat, or water. The food also provides hope that God remembers them amid the ongoing horrors of war.
Money Left to Buy Medications
Alexander has spent all 76 years of his life in the same town in Ukraine. It currently stands quite close to the war’s frontlines, which means constant shelling, sleepless nights, and ongoing danger mark his days.
“Each night becomes harder to endure when drones and missiles fly overhead,” he said.
Alexander sees God coming to his aid with each bag of groceries he receives from Samaritan’s Purse.
“If I were younger, I might have gone abroad to work and start over. But now, I feel less and less willing to leave my home.” His walls and roof are not just shelter, but a source of stability and inner strength.
While family, neighbors, and friends provide emotional support to Alexander as war rages on, the repeated gifts of groceries from Samaritan’s Purse—given in Jesus’ Name—provide life-saving relief.
“Your help makes a real difference,” Alexander said. “Because of it, I have money left to buy medications.”
This physical aid points him to spiritual things.
“I know that God is with us,” Alexander said. “I see Him in this help, in you, and in our defenders.”
Down But Not Forgotten
Olena, 73, has also lived her whole life in the same town as Alexander.
Though disabled, she often finds strength in growing and picking berries around her summer house to freeze them for preserves.
“I love spending time there, regaining my strength, and being close to the land,” Olena said.
The groceries Samaritan’s Purse provides in Ukraine are delivered by church partners who share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the recipients on an ongoing basis.
But as fighting has intensified, her haven seems to be disappearing.
“Lately, it has become more and more difficult. The frontline is moving closer, and constant explosions and gunfire can be heard nearby. It is very hard for me.”
Prolonged power outages only make matters worse.
“Recently, there has been no electricity for seven hours at a time. In total, it can be 10 to 14 hours a day. It is very difficult, especially in winter.”
The cold and other tragic interruptions to normal life do not compare though to Olena’s greatest loss. As the war broke out in 2022, her son and his wife came under fire near Kyiv.
“I am very thankful that this food aid comes to me through Samaritan’s Purse,” Olena said. “Thank you for not forgetting about us.”
“My daughter-in-law survived, but my son, sadly, was killed during the shelling of a civilian convoy,” Olena said through tears.
So many mothers are going through the same emotions every day now in Ukraine. In her sorrow, Olena is deeply grateful for the tangible gift of groceries.
“I am very thankful that this food aid comes to me through Samaritan’s Purse,” Olena said. “Thank you for not forgetting about us.”
This relief strengthens her faith in Christ and her prayers offered daily in His Name.
Light When Everything Seems Dark
Oksana, 68, and her 70-year-old disabled husband, Andrii, live about an hour from Olena and Alexander, but their experiences with the war are similar. Despite enemy attacks, the couple has remained in their own home, enduring repeated interruptions to their water, power, and heat. These hardships exacerbate their health issues that come with age.
Receiving their first gift of food from Samaritan’s Purse confirmed to their hearts that God cares for them and they are not facing the terrors of war alone.
Oksana (left), Andrii, and their neighbor pray every day, believing that God will save them. The food they receive from Samaritan’s Purse reminds them of His constant presence.
Oksana and Andrii’s neighbor regularly joins them in prayer, and the trio finds strength by relying on God.
“We are not able to attend church, but we pray every day. We believe in God and that He will save us,” Oksana said.
“We are deeply grateful to Samaritan’s Purse and to everyone who is part of this mission of service. Thanks to your compassion, help reaches those who need it most, and along with it come hope, warmth, and light—even when everything around us feels dark.”
At this distribution in Oksana and Andrii’s hometown, the bags of groceries given in Jesus’ Name are a welcome relief for the hungry.
Please pray for Samaritan’s Purse ongoing food distributions throughout Ukraine. Ask that, with every bag of groceries delivered, God will show Himself strong to those who are suffering.
*Name changed for security.
