Ames bakery celebrates Ukrainian independence as TPS deadline nears

AMES, Iowa —

A Ukrainian-owned bakery in Ames is marking Ukraine’s Independence Day with a week of food, giveaways and experiences in Ukrainian culture, while also using the celebration to draw attention to the war and uncertainty facing some Ukrainians living in Iowa.

At Piece and Freedom Bakery, co-owner Shalika Khindurangala spent part of the week teaching customers Ukrainian words, including the word for independence.

“Ukrainian Independence Day is on Aug. 24, which is a Monday, but Monday we’re closed,” Khindurangala said. “So we decided, well, let’s celebrate the whole week.”

The bakery, owned by three Ukrainian women, was built to showcase Ukrainian culture through its food. Khindurangala said the business is intentionally different from other bakeries, focusing on serving what customers may not find elsewhere in Iowa.

For Independence Week, that includes a special sweet crepe filled with farmer’s cheese, free Ukrainian stickers and giveaways for customers.

Khindurangala said sharing those traditions with people outside the Ukrainian community is part of what makes the celebration meaningful.

“It really brings us joy and immense pride, especially in a week like this where we’re celebrating Independence Day all week,” she said.

Most of the bakery’s customers are American, Khindurangala said, something she appreciates because it gives people who may have never visited Ukraine an opportunity to experience its food and culture. She said Ukrainian customers support the bakery as well, but many already make similar foods at home.

The week, however, is not only a celebration.

A donation box inside the bakery is collecting money for the father of one of the co-owners. He is serving in the Ukrainian military, and Khindurangala said the money will be sent directly to him and his battalion to help purchase equipment.

“We know that the war is still going on,” Khindurangala said. “We want to bring attention to this. This is not an issue that just faded away with time. It’s ongoing.”

October deadline creates uncertainty

Khindurangala also pointed to Oct. 19 as another reason she wants people to pay attention.

Ukraine’s current designation for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is scheduled to end Oct. 19, 2026. The federal government extended the designation for 18 months in 2025 because officials determined that the ongoing war and other conditions continued to make it unsafe for some Ukrainians to return.

TPS is a temporary immigration status for eligible people already in the United States. While the designation is in effect, beneficiaries may remain in the country, are protected from removal and can receive authorization to work. The status does not itself provide permanent residency.

The federal notice says people whose TPS ends return to whatever other valid immigration status they had before TPS, if it remains valid, or another lawful status they obtained while holding TPS. That means the consequences of the Oct. 19 deadline will vary from person to person.

Khindurangala said the uncertainty is personal for people connected to the bakery.

“A lot of our friends, families, staff, a lot of my people that I care about here in Ames and in Des Moines will be forced to leave,” she said. “These are people who came here legally … who are working here legally; they’re paying taxes and contributing to community.”

Hundreds of Ukrainians have resettled in Iowa

The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says hundreds of Ukrainians displaced by the war have resettled in Iowa. The state directs Ukrainians seeking immigration assistance to ALL Iowa, a statewide collaboration that provides and facilitates legal services for Afghan and Ukrainian nationals.

For Khindurangala, those larger concerns remain connected to what happens inside the bakery.

She said Piece and Freedom Bakery is meant to preserve and share a culture that remains deeply connected to a country at war.

“I don’t do it for the money,” she said. “I do it for the people. I do it for the culture. I do it for the food because I like food. I do it to celebrate.”

Local fundraisers support Ukraine

The Independence Week celebration is also raising money for Ukrainians still affected by the war.

Inside Piece and Freedom Bakery, a donation display is collecting money for Military Unit A-4941, where the father of co-owner Hanna is serving in the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The bakery says donations will help the unit purchase equipment its members need to stay safe and continue their work.

Khindurangala said the money will be sent directly to Hanna’s father and his battalion.

Another fundraiser is planned in Ames next month.

The Run for Ukraine Ames 5K Run and Walk will be held Saturday, Sept. 5, from 8:30 to 10 a.m. at Ada Hayden Heritage Park.

Organizers say all proceeds will be donated through the nonprofit Nova Ukraine to help Ukrainians survive and rebuild.

The two fundraisers come as Khindurangala says keeping attention on Ukraine remains important, more than four years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

“We know that the war is still going on,” she said. “We want to bring attention to this. This is not an issue that just faded away with time. It’s ongoing.”