A Ukrainian feast fundraiser is planned from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday at the Wilson Creek Cafe in Powers. Proceeds from the event will go to the World Central Kitchen to help feed Ukrainian refugees. Owner Chad Sydor and mother Daria “Dottie” Sydor will serve three of the family’s traditional Ukrainian dishes for the event. The photo is of Daria’s parents, Michael and Maria Sydor, who immigrated to the United States from Ukraine. The pysanka — Ukrainian Easter eggs — in the basket sits on a needlepoint that was done by Maria Sydor. (Iron Mountain Daily News photo)

POWERS — As the war in Ukraine continues and millions flee the country, neighboring nations are providing shelter, while humanitarian organizations such as the World Central Kitchen supply meals.

Across America, many are doing what they can to help Ukraine’s refugees, including a Menominee County cafe owner who has Ukrainian roots.

Chad Sydor of Wilson Creek Cafe in Powers will host a Ukrainian feast on Monday, March 28, to help benefit those affected by Russia’s military invasion.

His maternal grandparents, Michael and Maria Sydor, immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine. “They were forced to leave the country because of World War II,” said Chad’s mother, Daria “Dottie” Sydor.

Sydor said his “Dido” and “Baba” — grandfather and grandmother in Ukrainian — met while they were in an encampment for displaced persons in Poland.

“My mother had an uncle in Chicago who sponsored them to come to America,” she said.

After a short time in Chicago, they moved in Milwaukee, where they established their residence.

“They worked hard and made a great life for themselves,” Chad said about his grandparents.

The Sydors still have cousins in Ukraine. “We haven’t had contact with them in the past couple months,” Dottie Sydor said.

“We also were unable to reach a Miron (grandfather’s nephew) in Poland, and we don’t know if he went back to Ukraine,” Chad Sydor said. “He is a true Ukrainian through and through — so I believe he went back to fight.”

“Ukraine people are proud people,” Dottie Sydor added. “We are a very tight-knit community.”

Wilson Creek Cafe will serve three of the family’s traditional dishes from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the fundraiser. They will offer holubchi, cabbage rolls smothered with a smoked Polish sausage gravy; veraniki, known as pierogies locally; and the beet soup borscht.

In addition to the potato and cheese and sauerkraut, they will have an option of mushroom veraniki and rice and mushroom and rice holubchi.

“We wanted a version for some of the Orthodox folks that are in Lent season,” he said.

He noted only Ukrainian dishes will be served that day. “This not only goes with the theme of what we are doing, but it exposes people to the culture,” Chad Sydor said.

Dottie Sydor hopes to also make her mother’s signature torte dessert.

They ask that those planning to attend fill out a pre-order form by Friday. Forms are available at the cafe or the Wilson Creek Cafe Facebook page.

“This will allow us to have an idea of what we need to prepare,” Chad Sydor said.

The public is welcome to dine in-house or by takeout.

All the proceeds from the meals will be sent to World Central Kitchen.

Chad Sydor said he’s received overwhelming support for the event so far.

Those unable to attend the benefit who wish to donate to World Central Kitchen can stop by the cafe or mail checks to Wilson Creek Cafe, N16071 Hansen Lane, F 4, Wilson, MI 49896. Individuals can also go directly to the WCK website at https://wck.org/.

“What is happening to my grandparents’ homeland is devastating,” he said. “It is hard to watch from afar and not be able to do much about it.”

Wilson Creek Cafe is at W3869 U.S. 2 and 141 in Powers. For more information, call the cafe at 906-295-2066.