A hub in Galway City for humanitarian donations to support people fleeing the invasion of the Ukraine after an overwhelming response to an initial plea.
Smakoteka Polish Shop off the Old Dublin Road started a drive last week to send aid to Ukrainian refugees in Poland.
Since the start of the war, more than half a million people have fled the Ukraine to Poland alone, with many other countries receiving tens of thousands of refugees.
The response from the people of Galway to Smakoteka’s drive was so overwhelming that Kasia, the owner was forced to pause collections earlier this week.
To help with operation, a new hub is open for donations at Galway Racecourse from today, after Course Director Michael Moloney offered up the space.
The first truck of donations is already on its way to Poland, and another shipment will be sent from Galway next week on Friday, March 11.
Donations are appreciated but only essential listed items which can be found on the Smakoteka Galway Facebook Page.
All donations must be new items due to COVID hygiene procedures, as the centres handling transport don’t have the facilities to disinfect large numbers of items.
It is requested that all items should be packed in carboard boxes, with a description of the contents written on top.
Volunteers are being sought to help out here in Galway with this humanitarian crisis and people can get in contact with Donnacha at Volunteer Galway if they can give their time to this.
If you can volunteer contact https://volunteergalway.ie/ or ukrainesupport@
