Mel Kachur may have only lived in the small community of Pansy for about five years, but he’s already made a big impact, not just in their area, but across southeastern Manitoba.
"It's a small community and very peaceful. We’ve got good, fertile soil on our five acres."
Mel and his late wife, Helen, founded Friends of Ukraine Canada about four years ago, aiming to support families from Ukraine who are new to the region. Their three-acre garden in Pansy is bursting with vegetables each season, all grown with one mission in mind: to help feed those in need.
“I have a Bachelor of Science in Agronomy, my major was horticulture, so I sort of have a green thumb,” Kachur explained. “We grow potatoes, sweet corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, peas, beans, beets, all kinds of veggies to support food banks, soup kitchens, and organizations like the Steinbach Family Resource Centre, Agape House, and even the Siloam Mission in Winnipeg.”
Their first year, the group raised $5,000 for the Ukrainian orphanage Maple Leaf House in Ukraine. The following year, they gave $4,000 to Southland Church for its Ukrainian Humanitarian Fund, helping furnish homes for refugees.
"We want to put hunger in its tracks."
With spring underway, the snow has melted, and Kachur is already getting ready for the planting season.
“We’ll begin planting on the May long weekend,” he said. “The potatoes are donated by Kroeker’s in Winkler, and the sweet corn from Mark Hartlett out in the St. Anne area.”
But before the planting begins, there's something else blooming: community support and togetherness. It’s the upcoming Ukrainian Bake Sale, happening Saturday, April 19, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Clearspring Mall in Steinbach, just outside Sobeys.
“This year’s bake sale is in honour of my dear wife Helen, who passed away on January 14,” Kachur shared tenderly. “She was a very staunch volunteer, so this bake sale is also a little tribute to her.”
“Everybody loves perogies and cabbage rolls.”
The bake sale is packed with homemade Ukrainian delicacies: Bupkas, Paskas, pies, cinnamon buns, banana bread, jams, soups, pickles, and of course, perogies and cabbage rolls. Kachur says the food is made with care by local volunteers from Pansy, Vita, Tolstoi, Steinbach and surrounding areas.
The first year, they sold out in under an hour.
“People just love Ukrainian bakery, and they love the delicacies for Easter. This year we hope to have more items and be in a better mode.”
Along with the food, there’ll be Live entertainment including gospel music and Ukrainian choir performances. Sobeys and Clearspring Mall are once again helping sponsor the event.
“We’re thankful for all the volunteers.”
So, how can people help?
“They can donate money, door prizes for the silent auction, or just come and support us,” said Kachur. “Buy delicious pastries and ethnic dishes and join us for coffee. This is a community event. Easter is a blessed time when we celebrate our Lord’s resurrection.”
Stop by the bake sale, grab some goodies, and share in a story of resilience, generosity, and faith, all rooted in the little garden that’s making a big difference.
Want to help or learn more?
Come out to Clearspring Mall, Saturday, April 19, 9 am – 1 pm, just outside Sobeys and be part of something special.