Hi Everyone,

I know you are watching with horror at what is going on in Ukraine, and want to know what, if anything, you can do to help. Well, I just read this Washington Post article about two Harvard Teens who created a website, Ukraine Take Shelter, similar to AIRBNB, that can easily match Ukrainian refugees with hosts around the world. Of course it works best for neighboring countries, but if you have space that you can offer, even here in the United States, create a listing on their website, or on Host4Ukraine, another similar website. Some people are even offering to pay for airfare to get the folks here!

Countries across the globe are opening their doors to Ukrainian refugees — but the United States, makes it difficult to host refugees. There is an arbitrary refugee “cap” which limits how many refugees can come in, plus there are many loops you need to jump through to make it happen.

President Biden has the power to increase the cap. In fact, just last year we saw him raise the limit he set for FY2022 from 62,500 to 125,000. Why? Because people like us pushed him to.

We are witnessing one of the most dire humanitarian crises unfold right before our eyes — and the United States must be a leader in welcoming Ukrainian refugees.

Earlier this month, the Biden administration granted Temporary Protected Status to Ukraine, which protected upwards of **30,000** Ukrainians living in the United States without citizenship from being deported into an active conflict. We can, and must, go further. Will you help?

Add your name to tell President Biden: Raise the FY2023 refugee admissions cap to at least 200,000!

I was on a zoom call this past week with a friend who is starting a Welcome Circle for Ukraine Slow Food. The goal is to match U.S. hosts with Ukrainian people seeking a sponsor that shares similar interests and skills for mutual benefit and creative exchange. She’s establishing an advisory team that includes an immigration lawyer, refugee resettlement professionals, and business sponsors. If you would like to be a part of this, we are looking to build a network with local organic farmers and gardeners, biodiversity seed-savers, artisan bakers, traditional craftspeople, musicians, carpenters, scientists with shared research interests, synagogues and churches, etc. to nurture  friendships, professional exchange and foster potential employment opportunities.

If you are interested, please reach out to Eli Rogosa at growseed@yahoo.com

Since the war in Ukrainian began, World Central Kitchen has served over 1 million meals in over 55 cities to Ukrainians in search of safety. In the spirit of Slow Food we aim to make our work here at home support access to food around the world. World Central Kitchen was founded by Spanish-American Chef José Andrés in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake, and since then their legion of volunteers has fed communities from Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria to refugees fleeing Afghanistan. For the latest on their efforts, please follow WCK on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Please support their work serving meals to the refugees by donating here. 

For more options of ways to help support refugees, go to the Global Citizen’s website!

Bhavani Shares Her Interview on “Processing“, a Show with Zahra and Bobbie on Food and Bereavement on Heritage Radio!

I was invited to be a guest on the show “Processing”, which is a show hosted by Bobbie Comforto and Zahra Tangorra, a mother and daughter team who both share a love for food. Bobbie is a psychotherapist, specializing in bereavement and trauma for over 30 years, and Zahra is a Brooklyn-based chef and restaurant consultant. Their show takes a look at how food is used to get through some of life’s most challenging times, and how food can be the vehicle for transformation.

If you want to have a listen, you can hear it here!

Dana Ellis Hunnes, Author of “Recipe For Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life” Will Join Bhavani on the Progressive Radio Network!

Dana Ellis Hunnes is an Adjunct Assistant Professor with the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, a Senior Dietitian at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, and author of the new book, Recipe For Survival: What You Can Do to Live a Healthier and More Environmentally Friendly Life.  She earned her BS in nutrition and human biology from Cornell University, her Masters of Public Health (MPH) and PhD in Public Health from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. Dana teaches courses on nutrition, chronic disease, and the environment. Her research examines the relationships among climate change, food choices, and food security. She also looks at how these relationships affect our health, as well as the health of the planet and its oceans. She is frequently cited in popular media: she has been interviewed on NBC Nightly News, WBAI radio, Huffington Post, Self Magazine, Associated Press, US Health and News Report, the Los Angeles Times, and other news and media outlets.

I hope you can join us on Thursday, as Dana helps us connect the dots between the foods we eat, and the health of our bodies and the survival of the planet.

My Radio Show

iEat Green with Bhavani on the Progressive Radio Network is live, every Thursday, from 10-11 am, EST.  To tune in to the live show, just navigate to PRN.fm and listen in! Or, if you prefer, listen on the phone by calling 712-775-6850.

If you miss our live show please listen to the iTunes Podcast by downloading the App.

You can call in during the show with any questions for me or my guest by dialing 888-874-4888. If you are not listening live you can still ask me a question by calling 862-800-6805. Please leave your name, the show you’re calling about (iEat Green with Bhavani), and your question. I will get back to you.

With Love and Gratitude,

Bhavani

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