As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the U.S. Congress and as tens of millions of Americans gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and give thanks for their blessings, let us not forget the hungry. With 345 million people in immediate danger from global food insecurity, my Christmas wish is that we help the 7.8 million Ukrainian refugees who have fled their homeland and the 6.5 million displaced women, children, and the elderly in Ukraine.
As Ukraine is being decimated by attacks with drones and heavy artillery, let’s spare a thought for the millions of displaced Ukrainian refugees. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service just announced that more than 82,000 refugees have been temporarily paroled into our country and that number will rise. As we gather with our loved ones this Christmas, let’s spare a thought for our innocent brothers and sisters in Ukraine without electricity and water, many of whom don’t know where their next meal is coming from.
(PMI Foods) | CityServe Donation.
Millions of women, children, and elderly in Ukraine have fled their homes – many will never see their loves ones again. Our faith teaches us the importance of relieving suffering while following the admonition of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry and give drink to the thirsty. Food is something that brings us together.
As the President of Parker Migliorini International (PMI Foods) based in Salt Lake, my team is working to feed hundreds of thousands of refugees in Ukraine and throughout Europe. With more than 25 years of global supply chain experience operating in 19 locations across 6 continents, PMI is providing certainty to consumers and serving millions of people every day. That is why we are uniquely placed and proud to feed our fellow brothers and sisters in need.
In recent months, we have developed a strategic partnership with CityServe International that began with PMI’s donation of over 100,000 meals to help feed displaced refugees and we are planning to do more. Every year, we supply 1.6 billion pounds of beef, chicken, pork, eggs, and seafood products to locations around the globe.
With a severe winter approaching, PMI Foods has made a long-term commitment to supply even more food to Ukrainian refugees with a goal of delivering 1 million meals by 2024. But we can’t do it alone. We are calling on our global suppliers in more than 50 countries to join with us as we work to help those who need it most.
PMI is also leading the charge to promote environmentalism and sustainable practices. We just partnered with the non-profit “One Tree Planted” to plant over 10,000 trees in the Amazon rainforest and more projects will soon follow.
(PMI Foods) | CityServe Donation Photo.
Safeguarding the environment is key for the next generation, and our partnership with One Tree Planted will allow us to make a positive social impact. As global citizens we all have a role to play in protecting the environment and combating climate change, and PMI is dedicated to being a force for good.
As we reflect on our blessings this holiday season, we must never forget the needy and those less fortunate in our world. From feeding children in Benin, to helping displaced Ukrainian refugees, to planting trees in the Amazon, we will continue to work tirelessly to protect our environment and feed millions. With the support of our family and friends in Utah, we are driven by our faith and our desire to do good and help the neediest in our world. Now is the time to come together to support the most needy in our world and let’s work together to help millions of displaced Ukrainian refugees this holiday season.
Darin Parker is the President of PMI Foods, headquartered in Salt Lake City. Darin and his wife, Rochelle, have 5 children and reside in Utah.