VEGETARIAN SOCIETIES’ CHARITY ON UKRAINIAN LAND ON THE BEGINNING OF THE 20<sup>TH</sup> CENTURY
In the historiography this is the very first attempt to explore one more side of vegetarian societies’ activity on Ukrainian lands. It is their charitable work. Relying on materials from the periodical vegetarian press, it was discovered that the financial basis for such activities consisted of the profits from vegetarian canteens belonging to mentioned societies. It has been proved that the largest amount of funds, among others, was allocated by Kiev and Odessa vegetarian societies, since they were the largest and the richest comparing to others. It was found out that the distribution of free meals was the main form of charity which was constantly growing. Such assistance was frequently targeted and intended mainly for student youth. The beginning of the World War I intensified charitable activities. Free lunches started to be distributed to families of lower-ranking officers called to the army prior to commencement of hostilities. Moreover, new forms of charity were created, such as the allocation of significant funds on various humanitarian needs, for instance, the arrangement of colonies and shelters for children deprived of parental care and arrangement of a military infirmary for lower ranks. Kyiv vegetarian society was the most active regarding these issues.