Ames bakery celebrates Ukrainian independence as TPS deadline nears<\/p>\n
AMES, Iowa \u2014<\/p>\n
A Ukrainian-owned bakery in Ames is marking Ukraine\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
At Piece and Freedom Bakery, co-owner Shalika Khindurangala spent part of the week teaching customers Ukrainian words, including the word for independence.<\/p>\n
\u201cUkrainian Independence Day is on Aug. 24, which is a Monday, but Monday we\u2019re closed,\u201d Khindurangala said. \u201cSo we decided, well, let\u2019s celebrate the whole week.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
For Independence Week, that includes a special sweet crepe filled with farmer\u2019s cheese, free Ukrainian stickers and giveaways for customers.<\/p>\n
Khindurangala said sharing those traditions with people outside the Ukrainian community is part of what makes the celebration meaningful.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt really brings us joy and immense pride, especially in a week like this where we\u2019re celebrating Independence Day all week,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Most of the bakery\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
The week, however, is not only a celebration.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe know that the war is still going on,\u201d Khindurangala said. \u201cWe want to bring attention to this. This is not an issue that just faded away with time. It\u2019s ongoing.\u201d<\/p>\n
October deadline creates uncertainty<\/p>\n
Khindurangala also pointed to Oct. 19 as another reason she wants people to pay attention.<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s current designation for Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is scheduled to end Oct. 19, 2026<\/a>. 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. <\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Khindurangala said the uncertainty is personal for people connected to the bakery.<\/p>\n \u201cA 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,\u201d she said. \u201cThese are people who came here legally \u2026 who are working here legally; they\u2019re paying taxes and contributing to community.\u201d <\/p>\n Hundreds of Ukrainians have resettled in Iowa<\/p>\n The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services says hundreds of Ukrainians displaced by the war have resettled in Iowa<\/a>. The state directs Ukrainians seeking immigration assistance to ALL Iowa<\/a>, a statewide collaboration that provides and facilitates legal services for Afghan and Ukrainian nationals. <\/p>\n For Khindurangala, those larger concerns remain connected to what happens inside the bakery. <\/p>\n She said Piece and Freedom Bakery is meant to preserve and share a culture that remains deeply connected to a country at war.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t do it for the money,\u201d she said. \u201cI 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Local fundraisers support Ukraine<\/p>\n The Independence Week celebration is also raising money for Ukrainians still affected by the war.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n Khindurangala said the money will be sent directly to Hanna\u2019s father and his battalion.<\/p>\n Another fundraiser is planned in Ames next month.<\/p>\n