Doing The Most Good - 2021 Recap
The Salvation Army in Buffalo works with individuals who are seeking help in many different areas of life. Some are hungry and can’t afford to feed their families; some are seeking help finding a job; others are homeless and need shelter.
During one of our food pantry days, a young woman came in stating that she was hungry and wanted to wash up. As our Emergency Family Assistance staff began helping the woman, they realized she was living inside her car that was parked in one of The Salvation Army parking lots. She had just moved to the area and had no family or friends that could help her, no housing plans and didn’t know how to navigate the Erie County Department of Social Services to get assistance.
Our Emergency Family Assistance Director made phone calls to various community agencies to find her immediate housing and assistance for the hearing impaired as this woman was deaf. Within one hour of her coming to The Salvation Army Buffalo Area Services for help, this woman received temporary housing and a comfort kit that consisted of personal hygiene products, water, and no-cook meals.
During 2021, we were able to serve thousands of families and individuals in need:
- Provided 17,438 nights of shelter
- Provided 344,358 meals through our food pantries
- Served 4,005 meals in the community through our Street Feed Program
- Distributed 642 fully stocked backpacks to children in need
- Offered a fun, safe place for 72 children through our Summer Day Camp in the City