Couple plans mission to feed those near front lines in Ukraine
EDMOND, Okla. (KFOR) — They’re an unlikely pair, from opposite ends of the earth, helping Ukrainians fight against Russia. Now, an Edmond man and his New Zealand girlfriend are embarking on a new way to help those on the front lines in Ukraine.
“How do you put a professional baker and a professional archeologist together to do humanitarian work in a war zone?” said Jason Zan.
That’s the question Zan—an archeologist—and Harriet Campbell, have been asking for months.
Before they met, Russian troops marched through Ukraine in February 2022.
“I felt a real strong draw to try to go and do something because it felt so unfair,” said Zan.
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“People really took it upon themselves to defend their country, and that was incredible,” said Campbell. “It was like watching a movie almost, the heroism, the bravery.”
The two met online. Campbell needed help sending tourniquets to the war-torn country.
Zan had contacts after volunteering in Ukraine several times before using the skills he gained through archeology by helping the military and police with drone training.
Zan said he used funds raised to buy a drone jammer from a manufacturer in Kharkiv. He also helped buy and assemble makeshift ambulances.
In fall 2022, the pair first volunteered in western Ukraine, where it had felt safe.
“Then air raid sirens go off and everybody goes to shelters,” said Zan. “When things are over, you go back to life again.”
Closer to the front lines, things are grim.
“The buildings are demolished. You hear artillery in the background,” said Zan. “They have to choose which missiles they knock out of the sky.”
During their time, Campbell and Zan helped in several ways, like helping abandoned pets at animal shelters.
“One dog we worked with who was chained to a fence during the entire battle and had been there so long that its collar had grown into its fur and skin,” said Zan.
They also helped make camouflaged nets.
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Of course, with Campbell’s expertise in the kitchen, the pair helped feed citizens.
“You build trust when you break bread with people,” said Zan. “[Campbell] loves people through food and she loves people very well.”
In August, the couple plans to move to Ukraine for three months, cook food, and hand it out to those close to the front line. Zan said Campbell has designed a “menu” that feeds people at $0.80 per person per meal.
“We’re focusing on hearty and sustainable food,” said Campbell. “It’s going to be things like soup, and stews.”
To do that, Zan and Campbell are raising funds through Sooner Hope for Ukraine.
If you want to donate to other organizations, Zan recommends Robinhood Ukraine, Actions Beyond Words, Cherkasy Urban, and Mission Ukraine.
The couple hopes Oklahomans will care just as much as they do.
“The war is not going away. Our attention span may have, and honestly, it’s been getting worse,” said Zan.
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