Feeding Those In Need
With more than a dozen programs, like our Street Feed Program, The Salvation Army in Buffalo strives to offer hope for a better life by meeting basic human needs for those struggling in our community.
Before the Coronavirus Pandemic began in 2020, most overnight shelters were not open during the day and only provided evening sleeping accommodations. Our Street Feed program provided hot nutritious meals on certain nights before individuals in need entered a shelter. Once the pandemic hit in the Western New York Community, shelters opened 24/7 and began feeding the homeless. We noticed our normal feeding location had a drastic decrease in meals served and began researching other locations that had more need.
Now, every Wednesday from 4-6 p.m., our team serves hot nutritious meals to those in need in the Riverside neighborhood.
“People were very cold and very grateful for the hot chocolate and containers of food. After about an hour, I happened to notice a very thin, poorly dressed young woman around the age of 19. This surprised me; I thought the majority of individuals we served were disheveled older men. The young woman had no hat, no gloves, and a very thread-bare short coat. She did not smile or ask for anything, but instead just stood there. I wasn’t sure how to approach her…I didn’t want to embarrass her. I offered her a hot chocolate and she smiled for the first time. She was noticeably freezing and her hands were shaking, so I also gave her mittens and a blanket. The young woman mumbled “God Bless you,” and walked off by herself. This was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. I felt blessed to have been there at that moment in time.”
During 2021, we were able to provide 4,005 meals to those in need in the Buffalo community thanks to the generosity of our donors, volunteers, and staff members. Thank you for helping us Do The Most Good for our neighbors in need.
