Buffalo is the City of Good Neighbors and for good reason. Yesterday our community was rocked by an unimaginable act of racially motivated violence. As we struggle to understand, it’s important that we do what we can for the community where this took place. Several organizations have already offered their services or are seeking donations to help. If you know of any organizations or resources that are helping, please contact info@buffalorising.com with their information so we can list it below.
Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund
On May 14, 2022, the Buffalo community suffered senseless acts of violence when a gunman opened fire at the Tops Friendly Market on Jefferson Avenue, killing ten people and wounding three. Many have asked how to help.
In partnership with Tops, the National Compassion Fund has established the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased and those directly affected by this tragedy.
One hundred percent of the contributions donated to this fund will go directly to victims and survivors of this atrocity. Qualifying charitable donations to this fund are tax deductible.
The National Compassion Fund is the leading authority on financial assistance to victims of mass casualty events. It is a subsidiary of the National Center for Victims of Crime, the nation’s leading resource and advocacy center for victims of all types of crime.
Buffalo Together
The Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo, in partnership with United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and dozens of philanthropic partners, has initiated a coordinated philanthropic response to listen and respond to the broader community needs in the coming weeks and months.
AT&T Text to Give
To drive additional giving for the Buffalo community and to make it easy to contribute via your wireless bill, AT&T has teamed up with the City of Buffalo and Mayor Byron Brown to launch a Text- to-Give campaign to provide financial support to the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund that he helped establish and the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to help the community and the families of the victims affected by the recent tragic events in Buffalo. Through an easy direct donation process using your smartphone, you can contribute $10 to the community and the victims’ families, regardless of your wireless provider. The charge will automatically be added to the donor’s wireless bill.
Text Buffalo to 20222 to make a $10 donation to go to both the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund and the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund. The 5/14 Survivors Fund has been established by the National Compassion Fund will provide direct financial assistance to the survivors of the deceased and those directly affected by this tragedy. The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund is being coordinated by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County and all donations will help address community needs, long-term rebuilding, and systemic issues that have marginalized communities of color in the aftermath of the horrific events of May 14th.
The Text-to-Give program is active for all mobile carriers nationally. Those who would like to donate more than $10 can repeat the process as many times as they wish until they reach the desired amount. The Buffalo Text to Give campaign provides an easy and quick way for those who want to help the Buffalo community heal, regardless of whether you live local or live elsewhere in the State or nation. All funds raised via the campaign will be given to both established funds; AT&T will pay for all administrative costs. As noted above, this event has touched all Americans and donations can be made from anywhere.
AT&T and the AT&T Foundation are also contributing $50,000 to benefit the Buffalo Together Community Response Fund and the Buffalo 5/14 Survivors Fund to assist families of the victims and the surrounding community devastated by the mass shooting. The Company is also establishing a national employee giving program for the victims’ families and will be promoting the Text-to-Give campaign at all A&T stores across Western New York. AT&T has also provided mobile devices and free wireless service to the Buffalo Police Department to help volunteers gather information from community members regarding the services and support they need.
AT&T is contributing an additional $10,000 to the 100 Club of Buffalo in honor of fallen retired Buffalo Police Department Officer Aaron Salter through support from FirstNet, Built with AT&T– the only nationwide, high-speed broadband communications platform dedicated to America’s first responders and public safety community. Retired Officer Salter’s bravery and heroism saved many lives that day.
Food Truck Thursday at Niagara Square
Mayor Byron W. Brown is spearheading an effort to provide personal care items to the people impacted by the mass shooting at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue. Beginning Thursday, May 19th, personal care items are being collected at several locations, including Niagara Square during Food Truck Thursdays, and on the front steps of Buffalo City Hall.
“To the victims’ families who are hurting and to the people of the Buffalo community, we’re not going anywhere,” stated Mayor Brown. “We’re going to be with you today. We’re going to be with you tomorrow and we’re going to be there with you to rebuild. I ask our community to once again show why we are known as the City of Good Neighbors by donating needed items for those that need them most.”
Below is a list of non-food items being collected:
• Toilet paper
• Paper towels
• Baby diapers and wipes
• Toothpaste
• Body soap
• Hand soap
• Garbage bags
• Shampoo
The drive runs through Friday, May 20.
Buffalo Community Fridge
Buffalo Community Fridge is seeking donations of fresh produce, milk, eggs, cheese, formula, baby food, juice, water and labeled cooked meals to stock their fridge located at 257 E. Ferry Street. They will be available today from 11:30am-3pm, giving out food to the community but their fridge is always open for drop off or pick up.
The Healing Hub
The Healing Hub of NY has given out thousands of healing lunches with positive affirmations over the past two years, holding Food Giveaways every Friday at Main and East Utica between 12:00 and 2:00 pm and on Saturdays each week in a different Downtown location.
This Friday and Saturday, they will be giving away food, healing at hope in the Family Dollar Parking Lot at 1307 Jefferson Avenue. Counselors and peer support will be available for those in need.
A completely volunteer led and “staffed” organization, the Healing Hub was founded by Amherst resident Kelly Whitfield as a safe haven for people to heal from unchecked trauma. For more information about the Healing Hub, please call 716 697 4744 and/or visit www.healinghubny.org
For the next few weeks, the Healing Hub is also accepting donations of food, hygiene products and clothing at 768 Delaware. Contact Kelly at 819-3420, extension 2095 to donate.
Friday, May 20th
12:00 pm to 2:00 pm
1307 Jefferson Avenue–Family Dollar Parking Lot
Saturday, May 21st
12:00 pm to 4:00 pm–Same Location
Rooted In Love
Rooted in Love was formed for the purpose of aiding the homeless and the less fortunate in disadvantaged communities within the Western New York Area who are in need of fresh produce, nonperishable foods and hygiene products. Their community fridge is located at the Resource Council of WNY, 347 W. Ferry Street. They are seeking some assistance with donations to the fridge so that they will be able to touch more lives in this time. In addition, you can find them on Riley Street on Saturdays if you would like to donate or receive assistance.
Mental Health
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz announced from 9am-9pm today, counselors from Best Self Health, Endeavor Health of WNY, Crisis Services, and Spectrum Health, in association with the Erie County Department of Mental Health will have mental health counselors available at a drop in center at the Johnnie B. Wiley Center, 1100 Jefferson Avenue.
An Extra Scoop
Starting this week, An Extra Scoop will be donating 10 meals a week to the Buffalo Community Fridge that serves the Jefferson Ave community that was attacked. If you would like to help, you can donate a meal here: www.anextrascoop.com/order/p/donate. Your donation can be added on to your weekly order, or it can be submitted any other day of the week. If donations received exceed 10 meals per week, the additional funds will be rolled over to the following week.
Black Love Resists In The Rust
Black Love Resists in the Rust organizes at the intersections of embodied leadership, healing justice, political education and transformational organizing. They envision a Buffalo where communities are sustainable and have what they need to thrive without external assistance. They are collecting a list of Mental Health Counselors who will open their books to add in more individuals, provide support groups, etc. To donate to the fund for longer-term mental health and food access support: https://donate-usa.keela.co/mental-health-and-food-support
Candles in the Sun
Candles In The S.U.N. (Save Ur Neighborhood) knows that our strength lies not only in the words we stand by, but most importantly through the actions of our initiatives through education, mentorship and co-curricular activities. Their Non-Profit Organization realized that by uniting together they can advance our communities and overcome the challenges faced by families and youth in intercity neighborhoods. It is important to uplift your neighbor and shine your light by being a blessing. The passion for advancing communities is why we decided to launch Candles In The S.U.N.
Beginning Tuesday May 17- Friday May 20 free fresh produce at several locations. If you want to donate, check out the post below for all the details!
Unapologetic Coffee
The brainchild of two twin sisters, with a passion for coffee and community. A 100% Woman Owned company. At Unapologetic Coffee Co. they aim to provide small batch, roasted quality coffee direct to consumers as well as small businesses. Specifically, looking to integrate their brand message within local prospects at the traditional and non traditional markets. Fresh roasted coffee on a micro level that focuses on the social responsibility of ethnic diversity and representation.
Unapologetic coffee will be accepting donations to be kept in their fridge on behalf of their friends at Buffalo Community Fridge and deliver them weekly. With every bag received, they will include a free bag of coffee, roasted fresh from their roastery, located in the heart of the of Buffalo’s eastside
Please bring donations to 1375 main St., Buffalo, NY 14209
Tuesday 5pm – 8pm
Saturday 8am – 6pm
Sunday 9am – 3pm
Lyft
African Heritage Food Co-op
The AHFC seeks to not only to promote ownership in communities in the Buffalo and Niagara Area, but to spread its model to empower inner city communities everywhere. By encouraging residents in the community to become engaged with their local food system, AHFC can guide more communities to cease participation in oppressive structures and build, own, and operate inclusive systems that heal the local economy and reverse systems of oppression and discrimination.
They are currently accepting donations here.
VOICE Buffalo
VOICE Buffalo’s mission is to faithfully bring forth social justice and equity in our region through organized, collective action. Their vision is a society of diverse communities that are empowered, informed, active, and connected to one another, where ALL people have access to the resources they need to thrive and a voice in the decisions that affect them.
You can donate at www.voicebuffalo.org/donate
Larkin Square
The Lounge Shop and Buffalo Bitty bombs are partnering on Wed. May 18 from 4 PM – 7 PM in Larkin Square to invite you to drop off a non-perishable donation for the Buffalo Community Fridge and Rooted in Love Community Fridge. In appreciation for a donation of two or more items from the below priority list, you will receive a chocolate covered pretzel from Buffalo Bitty Bombs and for a donation of three or more items you will receive a Buffalo shirt or hat from the Lounge Shop.
Much needed items include; reusable bags, freezer bags, water/gatorade, toilet paper, dish soap, laundry detergent, diapers, feminine products formula and garbage bags.
Join us in Larkin Square this Friday, May 20th, 4 – 7 PM, as Chef Darian Bryan hosts a Jerk Hut Dinner with proceeds supporting the families of the victims of the attack. Dinners are available for presale now here.
Larkin Development Group will make a matching gift in support of the families of the victims and Larkin Square will donate all proceeds from the cash bar.
FeedMore Western New York
FeedMore WNY continues the longstanding mission of offering dignity, hope and a brighter future by providing nutritious food, friendship and skills training to its Western New York neighbors in need. Through our food bank distribution center and partner hunger-relief agencies, as well as our home-delivered meal program and other targeted feeding programs, FeedMore WNY alleviates hunger and assists community members of all ages throughout Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie and Niagara counties.
The second annual “Superhero Food Drive” to benefit FeedMore WNY will be held this Saturday, May 21, 2022 from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. outside Dash’s Market at 1170 Hertel Avenue in Buffalo. This event has been in the planning for months but takes on even more importance this week in light of the tragic mass shooting last weekend at a Tops grocery store, which has left an entire community in need of supplies.
The event is the brainchild of attorney William Lorenz, Jr., who has volunteered in the community for the past eight years as “Buffalo’s Best Batman” and will be in costume again at this year’s event along with numerous other superhero characters to bring smiles to people donating.
“FeedMore WNY is so grateful to William Lorenz, Jr. for his heroic efforts to fight hunger throughout Western New York. We deeply appreciate his commitment to our neighbors in need, and we encourage the community to support this exciting and critical food drive,” Catherine Shick, chief communications officer for FeedMore WNY, said.
Other Ways You Can Help
One of the easiest ways to help is supporting Black-Owned businesses. This ensures that money not only stays local but injects income into a community that has been devastated from this tragedy. Supporting organizations like Zawadi Books, Ujima, and Freddy Js as well as the businesses linked below will help the community: Restaurants and Black-Owned Businesses
