Ten lives were taken and three were injured during a racially motivated mass shooting at the Tops on Buffalo’s East Side Saturday afternoon.
Community members are in the process of mourning the victims of this racist terrorist attack, but community organizations have stepped in to aid East Side residents.
The Spectrum compiled a list of food pantries, transportation options and mental health resources for those who have been impacted by this shooting and for those who wish to donate and volunteer in light of this tragedy.
Food Pantries
Buffalo Community Fridge is a food pantry located at 257 East Ferry St. It is open 24/7, both for those in need or for individuals looking to donate.
The Community Fridge is requesting donations of non-perishable items, including water bottles, Gatorade, fruits and vegetables, diapers, feminine hygiene products, dish soap and infant formula, according to its Facebook page.
Feed Buffalo Halal Food Pantry is located at 456 Massachusetts Ave. and is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.
It is currently accepting donations of any canned goods that are marked “organic,” nut-based milks and any non-bleached or non-GMO products, according to its website.
Upper Room Church of God in Christ is located at 131 Florida St. Buffalo. This church has an open food pantry on Wednesdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
It is currently accepting all non-perishable donations.
Coldspring Community Foundation Soup Kitchen can be found at 234 Glenwood Ave. and is open Wednesdays from 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Coldspring Community Foundations Soup Kitchen is not currently taking donations, but those interested can sign up to volunteer on its Facebook page.
Group Ministries Pantry is located at 1333 Jefferson Ave. and is open Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
According to its website, it asks that all potential volunteers or donors first call at (716) 883-4367 to confirm hours and availability.
Group Ministries Pantry accepts most donations but wants community members to confirm what products are most needed before donating.
Refuge Temple Church Pantry is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Refuse Church Temple also asks that all potential volunteers or donors call at (716) 883-4367 to confirm hours and availability before donating any products.
Greater Works Christian Fellowship Pantry is located at 210 Southampton St. and is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It accepts donations of groceries and clothing. These products are accessible to all community members living within the 14208 and 14209 zip codes.
Transportation
Tops Market’s Shuttle to its Elmwood Location provides rides to grocery stores for local residents without means of transportation.
The shuttle runs daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and picks residents up from Jefferson Avenue and Riley Street to provide transportation to the Tops on Elmwood Avenue, according to Spectrum News.
Lyft, a ride-sharing app, is providing residents living in the zip codes 14208 and 14209 free rides to transport community members to either the Tops Friendly Market on Niagara Street or the Price Rite on Elmwood Avenue.
To use this service, riders can enter the code “BuffaloLyftUp” in the Lyft app, according to WGRZ.
Uber, another ride-sharing app, is giving community members $20 off per ride to a grocery store.
Each customer can use the discount code “SHOPBUF” on up to eight rides in the app, according to WIVB.
Mental health services
Project Hope Line is an emotional health hotline that has counselors available 8 a.m. to 10 p.m Monday through Friday.
It can be reached by calling (844)-863-9314 and more information is accessible on its website.
Mental Health Advocates of Western New York offers online counseling referrals or in-person sessions and is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
It can be reached at (716) 886-1242 or through its website.
National Alliance on Mental Illness in Buffalo and Erie County (NAMI) is an advocacy group dedicated to bettering the mental health of Western New Yorkers. It offers online counseling services or in-person sessions that can be scheduled on its website.
Its helpline can be reached at 716–226–6264.
Spectrum Health and Human Services is serving those impacted by the mass shooting at a drop-in center located at the Johnnie B. Wiley Center on Jefferson Avenue from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. until May 27.
Its 24/7 hotline can also be reached at (716)-710-5172 or through its website.
Kayla Estrada is an assistant news/features editor and can be reached at kayla.estrada@ubspectrum.com
Kayla Estrada is the opinion editor at The Spectrum. She is an English major who enjoys rainy weather, “Bob’s Burgers” and asking people who they voted for. When she’s not writing, she can be found hunting for odd-looking knick-knacks at the nearest thrift store.
Photo: Ryan Hagen | UB Athletics
