A REFUGEE who fled the war-torn Ukraine city of Sumy has settled into a new life in West Somerset helping with a local food charity.

Olena, whose last name is being withheld to help protect her husband and other family still in Ukraine, now volunteers with the West Somerset Food Cupboard and its recently-launched subsidiary the Local Pantry.

The charity provides free emergency food parcels and affordable surplus food to those in need.

Olena (pictured) is being hosted by Kathy Morton, who lives near Wheddon Cross and also volunteers with the food cupboard.

Her home city in the north east of Ukraine, which had a population of nearly 260,000, is only 30 miles from the border with Russia and was the centre of a six-week battle which ended in early April with Ukrainian forces successfully repelling Russian troops, although it continues to be shelled by artillery.

Olena taught English and German to children and also worked in the insurance business.

Mrs Morton told the Free Press: “As soon as Olena arrived with us she made it clear she did not want to be a burden and wanted to help in any way she could.

“I am a volunteer at the food cupboard and Olena wanted to come with me.

“She immediately joined in with all we were doing. It was wonderful to see her interacting with everyone and taking a real interest.”

Olena helped to stock the Local Pantry’s shelves with healthy food items including peppers, aubergines, cheese, salami, lemons, bakery, and cereals, and she also translated leaflets into Ukrainian to ensure they were accessible to all.

A number of Ukrainian families who have relocated to West Somerset are among those currently being supported by the Local Pantry.

Olena said: “I was made to feel very welcome and found the concept very interesting.

“I am sure it will be a great support for a lot of Ukrainian families. A good chance to get acquainted with local foods and recipes.”

The food cupboard is based at St Michael the Archangel Parish Church, in Alcombe, and during last month provided 99 free emergency food parcels, while the Local Pantry currently supports 30 member households.

The pantry has proven a huge success in just a few weeks with surplus supermarket food from FareShare Southwest being delivered on Tuesday mornings and sorted for families within a 15-minute travel time of the church to collect in the afternoon.

Charity trustee Clare Walsh said: “It is a quick turnaround but means that fresh food gets from FareShare’s chiller van to chiller cabinets, and then straight to household fridges and dinner tables as quickly as possible.

“All at minimum cost to members, who receive approximately £20 worth of food for £3.50 every week.”

Pantry membership is currently at its capacity but households can register on a waiting list.

Anybody who wants to volunteer or donate non-perishable food items should visit www.wsfoodcupboard.org.uk.

Up-to-date news about the charity is also available at @WSfoodcupboard on Facebook.