Local business owner raises money for Ukraine evacuees

Date: 3/17/2022

NORTHAMPTON – With many Ukrainian evacuees still trying to escape the ongoing Russian invasion, a local business owner in Northampton has taken steps to raise money for people affected by the situation

Andrew Brow, chef and owner of HighBrow Wood Fired Kitchen & Bar on 12 Crafts Ave., has pursued a couple of different avenues of fundraising for Ukrainian evacuees. From March 11 to 13, HighBrow served chicken Kyiv, a traditional Ukrainian dish, and 100 percent of the profits from this dish were sent to support Ukrainian evacuees.

Additionally, Brow is partnering with Manna Worldwide – a global nonprofit currently assisting with housing for Ukrainian evacuees – to raise financial donations to provide safe shelter and food for evacuees who are still in Ukraine and Romania. Manna Worldwide currently has houses in Romania and Ukraine for residents of the two countries.

Brow said that he will match any donations to Manna up to $5,000 out of his own pocket. When people do donate, Brow asks them to write “Highbrow” in their message so he can keep track of the donations.

Brow told Reminder Publishing that he participated in the fundraising mechanism of renting out an Airbnb in Ukraine for evacueess to use. After posting about this donation, Brow said that a representative from Manna reached out and told him about the houses in Romania and Ukraine and asked Brow if he would like to partner on a fundraiser.

“I felt like this would be a better bang for my buck, helping a vast amount of people rather than just a couple of individuals,” said Brow, regarding why he partnered with Manna.

“Ukraine is not by any means a third world country … they have a booming economy with arts, entertainment, restaurants and museums,” added Brow. “Every time I see what’s happening, it’s screwed, their whole life work … they’re leaving their country with nothing but a bag. It breaks my heart.”

Aside from this fundraiser, Brow is also opening a new restaurant in Springfield called “Jackalope” on 254 Worthington St. He is currently waiting for additional renovations and a liquor license, but once that restaurant opens up, Brow said he would definitely consider spearheading a similar fundraiser for the people in Ukraine and Romania.

To donate to Manna, people can follow the link here: https://donate.mannaworldwide.com/give/393396/#!/donation/checkout. Donations can also be dropped off at Highbrow.