Financial help from churches in Buffalo and Erie County.
Low income as and less fortunate families can get help from churches in the Buffalo New York as well as Erie county region. The assistance programs available from a church are wide ranging, and include:
- Emergency financial help for paying rent, utilities, water bills, or housing.
- Many churches operate free food pantries, soup kitchens, clothing or furniture banks.
- Buffalo churches help with counseling, substance or drug abuse, and other non-financial aid.
- Churches in Erie County may have free vouchers including for gasoline, a motel room for a night or two, or even a tank of gasoline.
- Depending on volunteers, donations to the church, and other factors, additional help may be offered too.
The churches help anyone in need. There is assistance for immigrants in Erie County as well as the poor, children, and destitute. Senior citizens and the lonely may get help as well as minorities or those battling drugs. Based on donations and other factors, some money may be offered to pay bills, buy food, give warm winter clothes, or cover a rent payment. Find how to get help from Erie County churches below.
Help from churches in Buffalo and county
Some of the leading parishes are noted below. Volunteers, clergy, and tithes pay for many of the resources. Churches will often run out of funds (especially when it comes to paying rent, an electric or other bills), and there are no guarantees to receiving help.
St Lawrence RC Church help with basic needs and even coordinates basic medical as well as dental care. They are based in the city of Buffalo at 1520 East Delavan Avenue Buffalo, NY 14215. During the winter months, they will give struggling parents free Christmas gifts and toys for their kids and serve the family a meal. Year round is a free food pantry and clothing bank.
When it comes to medical care, staff from the Buffalo Church operate a Health Insurance Information – Counseling Service. They will help residents apply for Medicare, Medicaid, the state of NY Health Exchange Facilitated Health Insurance programs or find other types of affordable health insurance . Or even free plans. Call 716-896-0047.
Churches can operate transitional housing, homeless shelter and employment programs in Erie county as well. They can help clients that have addictions. Or the shelter can be for families that have been evicted, had their electricity or utilities shut off due to unpaid bills, or those facing foreclosure. United Church Home runs the Plymouth Crossroads Transitional Housing at 5522 Broadway Lancaster, NY 14086-2222. They also coordinate educational services, and more information is at 716-393-3906.
Erie County churches can provide emergency financial help as well. One of the leading options is the Salvation Army. They are a Christian faith based group that helps anyone in need. The thrift store sells goods to raise money, and those funds can help pay for rent; utility bills; shelter; prescription medications; car repairs; clothes; furniture and much more. They also coordinate summer camps for kids, help seniors and rural community, and do so much more. There are multiple social services and locations in the Erie County area, and dial (716) 883-9800 for information.
Free food and meals from Buffalo area churches
Several churches battle hunger in the community. Volunteers help stock food pantry shelves and/or serve meals at soup kitchens. There are several parishes that do this. Churches may pass out free bags of groceries, serve Easter, Thanksgiving or Christmas meals, operate soup kitchens, deliver food to the homebound in Buffalo and much more. The Church of St Casimir on 1833 Clinton Street, Buffalo, NY 14206, call 716-891-8362. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church has assistance from a pantry and soup kitchen at 1184 Genesee Street, Buffalo, NY 14211 (dial 716-895-3642). Another option is Union Presbyterian Church on Lake Avenue (phone 716-823-5137).
Pets are often second kids in today’s day and age (or the household’s only kids). Some churches in Erie county help pet lovers too. St Aidan's Episcopal Church Pet Food Cupboard (phone 716-937-9500) is but one. They have a cupboard for free cat or dog food, can refer clients to free or ow cost vet assistance programs. can provide free dog or cat food, and give other support services too. In some cases, free dog beds are offered.
Contact information to get help from churches
There are dozens of other churches in the Erie County region. They combine financial aid with guidance, marital counseling, free food or clothes, and much more. For information and advice, dial 211.
|
