Le donne ucraine della regione di Odessa cucinano per i soldati, confezionano tisane e lavorano a maglia i calzini

Ukrainian dishes, healing teas, and knitted socks – this is how volunteers in Podilsk, Odesa region, support Ukrainian soldiers. For over two years, a volunteer group called Volonterochka has been operating in the local cultural center. Every week, women gather to bring warmth, care, and homemade comfort to the defenders.

**“Cooking with love”**

Every Friday, the Podilsk cultural center fills with the smell of homemade food. The volunteers of Volonterochka cook for soldiers recovering after injuries.

>“We cook with love so that our defenders stay alive, healthy, and return home sooner,” says Oleksandra Puzyrevska, kneading dough for pumpkin flatbreads.

The menu changes every week – seasonal vegetables, homemade recipes, and good moods are the ingredients.

**Herbs, socks, and the warmth of hands**

Volonterochka is more than a kitchen – it’s a place of friendship, support, and inspiration.

>“We come here with joy, talk, support one another, and do at least something small – we cook homemade treats for our soldiers,” says Valentyna Rak.

Alongside food, the volunteers pack herbal teas – linden, mint, lemon balm, jasmine, and acacia – all hand-picked in the fields of Podillia.

>“These herbs are healing – they warm the body and the soul of our defenders,” says Liubov Antoniuk, showing neatly packed tea bags.

Over time, the women have assembled thousands of tea packets.

As the weather turns cold, they knit socks, mittens, belts, and mats – anything that can bring warmth to soldiers on the front lines.

Soldiers often send their gratitude:

>“They cook so well it feels like being home again,” says Petro Bilodid, a serviceman.

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[https://suspilne.media/odesa/1141860-stravi-caj-skarpetki-i-lubov-ak-u-podilsku-volonterki-pidtrimuut-vijskovih/](https://suspilne.media/odesa/1141860-stravi-caj-skarpetki-i-lubov-ak-u-podilsku-volonterki-pidtrimuut-vijskovih/) 

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