#TBT - Throw Back Thursday

April 6 holds a special place in the hearts of folks at The IBC, because it was on this day in 2022 that we hit the ground running in Lublin, Poland to help the people of Ukraine. Formally, The IBC was not in existence last April 6, but our spirit, most assuredly, was.

From those early days of personal efforts we established a grass roots volunteer movement that dispensed over $75,000 of humanitarian aid directly to Ukrainian civilians and soldiers in need, ultimately paving the way towards becoming the legal 501(c)(3) organization of The IBC today.

Since incorporating under The IBC banner in September 2022, we have continued to execute our mission by providing an additional $28,000 in humanitarian aid to refugees in Lublin, Poland, Ukrainians displaced within Ukraine, and brave soldiers entrenched on the front lines.

That’s why on this #TBT - a.k.a. Throw Back Thursday - we pause to marvel at all we have achieved together through this collective volunteer effort.

Another week, another 2 tons of food: Lauren, Pastor Igor Buben, & Matt

April 5, 2022 - Matt, Lauren, & Cheryl Kennedy arrive in Europe to volunteer

April 6, 2022 - purchasing 2 tons of food for people in Eastern Ukraine

April 6, 2022 - Matt loading food into van

So much food we needed a forklift!

Distributing food in Eastern Ukraine

People qued for hours waiting for 1 bag of food - enough to feed family of 4 for 2 days

Distributing food in Severodonetsk

Easter Week 2022 - Lauren with volunteers, Rachel McGill & Dr. Mike King, unload food with Pastor Igor and volunteers from Finland.

Handprints of Ukrainian refugee children in shelters created by Pastor Igor Buben. Your donations support these shelters.

Matt with donated medical supplies and IFAKs

Ukrainian soldiers who received protective 5.11 plate carriers

Medicine donated by local pharmacy, Habersham Drug, in Clarkesville, GA

Soldier receives tactical pack from supplies we purchased in Poland

Young Ukrainian Refugee at Light In You, a kids program operated by Pastor Igor Buben. Your donations help support Light In You.

Easter 2022 - Lauren with Ukrainian Mother of 3, Juliya, and children Denis, Tanya, and Anya. This family lived in a refugee shelter in Lublin, Poland supported by your donations.

Our work is not done, though.

The latest data published today from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, indicates there are 8.1 million Ukrainian refugees scattered throughout the globe, and more than 5.3 million internally displaced people within Ukraine.

That’s over 13 MILLION mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, grandparents, neighbors, co-workers…people forced to leave their homes to save their lives. And while we can’t help everyone, we can help someone, together.

Over the next 90 days we want to raise $15,000 to provide:

• Mental Health Therapy for refugees in Lublin, Poland

• Utilities for 5 refugee shelters in Lublin, Poland housing 150 women and children

• Desperately needed strategic aid - tourniquets, Individual First Aid Kits, gas masks, etc - for individual soldiers in Eastern Ukraine

In less than 5 minutes, you can help us achieve this goal:

Use the button below to make a tax-deductible donation, then share this update with at least 1 other person you think may be interested in making a difference in the life of someone impacted by this war.

As evidenced by our efforts over this last year, we truly can make an impact, together.