INMAN, Kan. (KAKE)- An Inman cafe is donating some of its proceeds from the sales of a dish that's native to Ukraine to help the people there.

Inman Harvest Cafe has been an existing restaurant in Inman since 1955. Cafe manager Katy Reinecker told KAKE News that her family took over the small business 14 years ago.

"It's been a wild ride," said Reinecker. She said she started off as dishwasher at the business and over the years has seen the cafe through its many ups and downs.

She told KAKE News she had been most thankful for the community's support over the years.

"They don't feel like customers, they feel like extended family," said Reinecker. "They've helped me raise my kids."

Reinecker said she's thankful to get the opportunity to give back to them with warm conversation and food that customers KAKE News spoke to said that they loved.

One of the most popular options is the restaurant's verenika.

"It's not like you can walk into an Applebee's or whatever and be like, I'll have verenika," said Reinecker.

She said it's been prepared at the cafe since well before her family owned and operated at back in 1984. The dish is a traditional dumpling, stuffed with cheese, and boiled. Reinecker said its popular among Inman's Mennonite community and regulars.

"It's a unique food traditionally made by the Mennonites," said Elaine Starkjohn, a native of Inman.

Reinecker said while verenika isn't very common across the state and the country, it has ties to something Americans have been watching for weeks, the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"I was looking up Ukraine and trying to learn about that region," said Reinecker.

Reinecker discovered that the dumplings are common in the country and are traditionally made with goat's milk, rather than the cow's milk she uses for her cheese in Kansas.

"I am honored to carry on the tradition of my ancestors, and offer verenika on our menu," Reinecker said in a Facebook post last Wednesday.

 

She said she decided to use the knowledge of her discovery to benefit the people of Ukraine. From now until March 15, Reinecker says a portion of every verenika sale at the cafe will go to Sunflower of Peace.

The non-profit is based in Massachusetts and is currently accepting donations to fill backpacks with first aid kits and other necessary medical equipment to be sent to Ukraine.

"These people are going through so much that anything that I do is going to be really insignificant," Reinecker said.

Still, she said she's hoping her small gesture will make a difference.