Helping Others This Winter Break

By: Ashley Kurz, Managing Editor 

As the semester comes to a close and there are so many holiday festivities it is easy for students to finish their finals and head home without thinking twice about what they’re leaving behind. Even though some students just come for school and spend a very short time here in Buffalo, there are so many opportunities to get into the community. I would like to take this opportunity to share places in Buffalo to volunteer if they choose to stay over the winter break. 

I collaborated with Campus Ministry and asked where they suggested students should start. Fr. Betti goes to the Response to Love Center every morning other than Fridays and he is more than willing to bring students with him as well. Caroline King, the assistant director of Campus Ministry, also mentioned Harvest House Buffalo and Buffalo City Mission as places for students to spend their time. The Response to Love Center’s goal is to improve lives and provide basic human needs to those without. They have a food pantry and means for providing clothing to those who need it, especially with the harsh Buffalo winters. Harvest House Buffalo has a baby and children ministry that provides clothing through appointments. Buffalo City Mission provides solutions for unhoused individuals in Buffalo. They have mental health and community health services available and also provide housing aid. Hearts for the Homeless is a Buffalo-based organization that has mobile kitchens and a food pantry, amongst other things. FeedMore WNY is also looking for volunteers to pack food and deliver freshly-made meals.

Whatever you decide to do, just get out there and be a part of the community. This is the City of Good Neighbors, and no one deserves food or shelter more than another. It doesn’t just have to be over this break, either. I just think that if you’re going to be living somewhere, then you should meet people that live there – all of them. Everyone deserves love and care this holiday season, no matter what. 

Feel free to reach out to Caroline King at king116@canisius.edu for any questions about the ministry's involvement in the community. Any of the mentioned organizations have resources that can be viewed online.