Shrewsbury Students Raise Thousands For Ukraine Relief

SHREWSBURY, MA — A fundraiser mounted by Spring Street Elementary School students is having an impact halfway around the world.

4th grader student Elaina Iannelli recently organized a fundraiser to support the hunger nonprofit World Central Kitchen, which is feeding Ukrainian refugees. Iannelli's father, Greg, said Elaina decided to start the fundraiser as part of a school leadership initiative. She heard about the nonprofit by watching the news.

Spring Street students did extra chores at home in exchange for donations. Through their work, they raised $2,000 to send to World Central Kitchen, Greg Iannelli said.

The nonprofit began serving food to Ukrainians on the day Russia invaded in February. The nonprofit has also organized chefs to help cook the meals.

"Working at a 24-hour pedestrian border crossing in southern Poland, WCK began serving hot, nourishing meals within hours of the initial invasion, and we are now serving round-the-clock dishes at eight border crossings across the country," the nonprofit says on its website. "Additionally, we are supporting local restaurants preparing meals in cities across Ukrainian including in Odessa, Lviv, and Kyiv."

The nonprofit has served 38 million meals so far, with many of those undoubtedly due to the Spring Street Elementary Schools' efforts.