North Fork Chef Creates Special Menu With Love To Help Ukraine

NORTH FORK, NY — For many, the atrocities unfolding in Ukraine, a world away, resonate very close to home.

George Giannaris, a chef for 37 years and the owner of his family business, Hellenic Snack Bar & Restaurant in East Marion, posted a video, "Together We Can Help Ukraine," on his AwareHouseChef YouTube channel.

Giannaris said he was "in shock and outraged, that in this millennium, a government could execute such a cowardly attack on innocent civilians," the people of Ukraine.

"I feel so moved to help in any way that I can," Giannaris said.

On Tuesday, March 8, Giannaris is opening his heart and showing his deep concern through the universal language of love and nurturing — food. A special "I Stand With Ukraine" menu will be offered at Hellenic, with 100 percent of the proceeds donated to the people of Ukraine.

The menu will feature a choice of chicken or pork souvlaki, a beef gyro, a falafel sandwich, or an open-faced sandwich; a baby Greek salad, French fries, or rice; and fresh-squeezed lemonade or a soft drink. The special menu costs $25 plus sales tax; 100 percent of the $25 will be donated to the citizens of Ukraine.

The meals are available to eat-in or to-go.

For those that do not live close to Hellenic, a link is also provided to donate and will remain live as long as needed, Giannaris said.

"Let's hope and pray for a fast resolution, and for this unnecessary tragedy to come to an end," he said.

When asked why he felt such a compelling need to help, Giannaris explained the deeply personal reason for his mission.

"My grandmother told me a story about her fifth child," he said. "She was pregnant with her fifth during the occupancy of Germany in Greece. She did not have enough food to feed her four children, so she tried to abort her baby by jumping down the stairs. Her fifth child was my father."

He added: "I understand that there is corruption and that there is real and fake news. I also understand that there are people suffering needlessly who are permanently displaced from their homes and from their loved ones. This is about doing something for them."