If there’s been one positive to come out of Putin’s ongoing war on Ukraine, it’s that countries, organizations, businesses, and ordinary people around the world have been reminded that we’re all in this together. If only, in this case, the circumstances were less depressingly traumatizing.

The world has been quick to hit Russia with sanctions since Putin’s army invaded Ukraine on February 24. Actions have run the gamut from freezing international bank accounts to companies like Spotify closing it offices in a country that’s increasingly isolated.

There’s been action locally as well. In late February, BC Liquor Stores pulled all Russian liquor products from its shelves as a gesture of solidarity with Ukraine. That led to an uptick in vodka sales for East Vancouver craft distillery Odd Society Spirits.

Now, determined to pay things forward, the Vancouver distillery has announced that it will be donating 20 percent of proceeds from its East Van Vodka to World Central Kitchen.

A not-for-profit, non-governmental organization founded by celebrity chef José Andrés in 2010, World Central Kitchen’s mandate is to provide meals for those who’ve been hit by natural disasters. Or, in this case, Vladimir Putin.

WCK works as a first responder to liaison with local chefs to help solve hunger problems in the wake of a crisis. The organization was among the first on the ground after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in 2017. It’s currently on the frontlines in Eastern Europe serving fresh meals to those who’ve either fled, or are in the process of fleeing, Ukraine since Russia invaded the country on February 24.

Since the start of the war an estimated two million people have left the country, most of them women and children.