On the Site:

RELIGION

Church members in Ukraine express gratitude for food storage

Feb 27, 2022, 6:39 PM | Updated: Jun 7, 2022, 3:06 pm

UKRAINE — It has been a month since The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints evacuated missionaries from Ukraine, but still, the Church has members in each of the areas affected by the war.

Andre Zinkovski says joining the Church has blessed his life, but now, following certain teachings is saving his life as war unfolds outside his front door.

“Last night was the most terrifying night,” Andre said.

Explosions echoed throughout the night — some so close the walls would tremble.

“You never know what will shoot you next minute. You never know when this bomb will fall. Will it, you know, hit your roof,” Andre said. “I consider myself lucky tonight because my windows are still intact, but some people had to leave their place because there were no windows, no walls, no houses anymore. It was scary.”

On Sunday afternoon, the streets outside Andre’s home were empty, and so were the shelves at all the nearby grocery stores.

“For the past four days, the scripture, ‘If you prepare, you shall not fear,’ just comes up to my mind,” Andre said.

Twenty-three years ago, Andre and his mother joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ever since, his family has been slowly but surely preparing every needful thing.

“I never thought we would use it, but we had this food, and my mom would say, ‘You need to go get some food for my food storage,'” Andre said.

Dedication to preparedness that is now keeping Andre and his neighbors alive.

“We’ve been blessed by this, and I’m so grateful that we have our Church leaders who teach us that we need to do this, and I couldn’t be more helpful than at these times. And I’m blessed to help other people because of this; we have plenty of food for ourselves,” Andre said.

Packing and sharing food for those in his branch, and even his next door neighbors.

Andre and his family don’t know what’s next.

“We have two backpacks ready with water, with medicine, money and our documents just ready to go. We’re ready to leave. I don’t know where or how, but you don’t know when they’re going to shoot you,” Andre said.

He finds peace knowing his brothers and sisters half a world away are praying for him.

“I’ve seen some stories of people gathering in Utah just to support people here in Ukraine. This was so touching and so strong. This means a lot. I know it doesn’t help us physically, but it sure helps us mentally to know that people are standing with us,” Andre said.

Andre is collecting donations through Venmo to help those around him. A woman from Utah who served her mission in Ukraine (Venmo @MichellePearson)* is gathering the funds for him at this time.

A local business, The Plastics Clinic, is matching any donations up to $10,000 if you screenshot your Venmo transaction.

You can find more information here.


*KSL TV does not assure that the money deposited to the account will be applied for the benefit of the persons named as beneficiaries. If you are considering a deposit to the account, you should consult your own advisors and otherwise proceed at your own risk.

KSL 5 TV Live

Religion

meetinghouse landscaping...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Church implements ‘important’ landscape pilot program to cut water use

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has redesigned the landscape outside six of its Utah meetinghouses and is working to complete a seventh as it seeks to move forward with new conservation goals first outlined last year at the height of the state's severe drought.

8 days ago

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Monday that the Manti Utah Temple will be...

Mark Jones

Open house dates announced for Manti Utah Temple

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced Monday that the Manti Utah Temple will be rededicated on April 21, 2024.

10 days ago

President M. Russell Ballard, Acting President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles died late Sunda...

Erin Cox

Utah community attends funeral services for President M. Russell Ballard

Those who walked Temple Square on Friday morning didn’t have to know President M. Russell Ballard personally to feel loved by him.  

13 days ago

President Ballard...

Carole Mikita

Speakers recall President M. Russell Ballard’s unwavering faith in Jesus Christ

Hundreds gathered in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for the funeral of President M. Russell Ballard Friday morning.

13 days ago

President M. Russell Ballard, who was acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The ...

Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com

President M. Russell Ballard remembered for devotion to family and faith

The funeral for President M. Russell Ballard, of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles will begin Friday at 11 a.m. at the Tabernacle at Temple Square.

13 days ago

Dale Tingey and President M. Russell Ballard...

Erin Cox

60 years of friendship, Utah man remembers President M. Russell Ballard

When you’ve lived as long as Dale Tingey, you only remember what matters most.

14 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Church members in Ukraine express gratitude for food storage