Support ramps up as more Ukrainians expected to come stay in Waterloo region

A local grassroots group that aims to support Ukrainians coming to stay in Waterloo region says it's seeing more community members offering to help.

Stephanie Goertz, who founded the volunteer groupWaterloo Region Grassroots Response To The Ukrainian Crisis, said it's anticipated more people will arrive in the region in the next two weeks under the federal government'snew emergency immigration program.

She said the grouphasgrownsince it started in mid-March, with more than 275 volunteers now meeting on a weekly basis to organize and address evolving needs.

"It's been an overwhelming amount of support."

Goertzsaid the community's willingness to help house Ukrainians has grown so much that they are looking to partner with an organization that can help them co-ordinate housing tomatchUkrainians with the right host home.

"We already have almost 70 people that have offered their homes," she said.

"We're trying to do profiles on the host families and really do a good job of matching up families so that everyone can be successful."

Churches doing their part to help

Local churches have also stepped in to help where they can.

The Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church in Philipsburghave put out a call on Facebook for school suppliesand backpack donationsfor Ukrainian children and teens who will be attending school.

Pastor Leanne Darlington said that initiative got underwayafter a church member, who is part of Goertz's grassroots group, brought up the needto the congregation.

Darlingtonsaid she is cognizant of other refugees aroundthe world who arein need, but this small drive is one way she hopes her church community is making a difference.

"We're a country church, there's probably about 120 members, so we're not great in size, but we are mighty in spirit and faith, and trying to make a difference," she said.

Since February, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of Saint Sophia in Waterloo has been collecting donations thatthey send to Europe.

Church member Ivan Jaworksy, whois involved in organizing those donations, said that at the beginning, people dropped off "just about anything you can imagine,"including food items to clothing, but they are heavy and hard to ship overseas.

Those items won't go towaste, Jaworsrky said.The church has set them aside for Ukrainians who will be settling in the area.

Jaworsky said now the church is asking for medical supplies and items like sleeping bags.

The UkrainianCatholic Church of the Transfiguration in Kitchener hasalso organizedan interfaith prayer service for peace in Ukraine for Monday nightat St. Anthony Daniel Roman Catholic Church.

Rev. MyroslawTataryn said about a dozen leaders from different faith groups will lead the service, which startsat 7 p.m. ET.

"The outpouring of understanding, of concern, support and empathy for the situation in Ukraine from Canadians generally ... has been incredible," Tataryn said.