On Saturday afternoon, our beloved City of Buffalo was the targeted location of a terrorist attack in one of Buffalo’s most vulnerable neighborhoods. Our hearts are broken for the victims, their families, and for our city.

There are two truths that those of us who live in Buffalo must hold right now; one is that healing for those families and communities who lost someone to a despicable act of hatred and racism must be allowed to take place and the second is that it is the history of segregation and inequality in this city that allowed this attack to happen. This is not a time for inaction but an inseparable duality between gentleness and generosity for those who are in need and staunch ferociousness as we work to repair what has been broken.

Below are several resources for our friends and neighbors who may be in need followed by action items both large and small.

Resources:

Crisis and Trauma Counseling

  • Crisis Services counselors are available 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Johnnie B. Wiley Pavilion Sunday and Monday 1100 Jefferson Ave.
  • Crisis Services 24-Hour hotline is 716-834-3131.
  • Spectrum Health and Human Services 24-Hour hotline is 716-710-5172.

Food and Groceries

  • Food will be available at the Resource Center at 347 East Ferry in Buffalo from 2 to 9 p.m. on Monday, May 16, and then from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until at least Friday, May 27.
  • Buffalo Community Fridge is providing free food for community members at 257 East Ferry St in Buffalo.

Rideshare and Transportation

  • Buffalo residents in the zip codes 14208 and 14209 who need help getting to and from a local grocery store can receive a free ride up to $20. The free ride applies to two local grocery stores: Tops Friendly Markets (425 Niagara Street, Buffalo) and Price Rite (250 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo). 
  • NFTA is suspending fairs on Routes #12-Utica, #13-Kensington, #18-Jefferson and #24-Genesee through the end of May.
  • Lyft code: Use BuffaloLyftUp to get $25 in the Lyft app.
  • Uber code: Use SHOPBUF to get up to $20 off a ride, with a maximum of eight rides per customer.
  • Buffalo Creek Academy Grocery Assistance is providing grocery delivery for residents around Jefferson Ave. Call 716-217-2661 for more information.

Victim Compensation and Financial Support

  • Victims’ families have an access compensation program available from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office with the New York State Office of Victim Services. For more information, you can call (716) 858-2400.
  • Office of Victim Services staff will be in Buffalo this week to help victims and families obtain financial assistance and provide information about how service providers can access the additional funding to expand services and support for victims of violence. OVS staff will be set up in a closed location accessible only to victims and their families in order to protect victims’ privacy and preserve confidentiality.
  • National Action Network has offered to cover any additional funeral expenses for the families of the victims of the shooting and New York State is closely coordinating to ensure that the money is getting to those who need it.  

Immediate Action Items:

Additional Action Items: