About Us

Mission Statement

Hearts for the Homeless® is a non-profit organization that clothes and feeds the chronic homeless, poor, and those in need. Characterized by a profound spiritual motivation to share the Word of God, the program offers nourishing food, as well as clothing, pertinent information regarding area services, companionship and hope for the future.

Our Beginnings: The Story of Hearts for the Homeless®

The journey of Hearts for the Homeless® began with a powerful story. Founder Ron Calandra’s firsthand experience with homelessness, even living in the back of a Ryder® truck for a time, led him toward a path of community service. From 1988 to 1990, Ron served as a missionary in Mexico, raising awareness about poverty and initiating programs to support some of Mexico’s poorest areas. Inspired by this work, he returned to Buffalo in 1990 to establish Hearts for the Homeless®, with a mission to support those experiencing homelessness and poverty in Western New York.

Hearts for the Homeless® Today

Today, Hearts for the Homeless® serves Buffalo and the surrounding areas, providing food, resources, and hope to the poor and homeless. At the Hearts Campus, we help create better living environments and strengthen community connections. Walking through the ministry center, visitors will find pieces of our history, from collectible items to symbols of Hearts for the Homeless®’ humble beginnings, reminding us of our ongoing commitment to support and uplift our neighbors in need.

How You Can Help

Host a Donation Bin

Hearts for the Homeless® makes it simple to support local communities by hosting a donation bin. Providing space for a donation bin helps collect essential items to support individuals experiencing homelessness in Buffalo and Western New York.

Donate Clothing

Donate gently-used or new clothing at one of our 500+ donation bin locations. Every item of clothing helps us meet the needs of those facing poverty and homelessness, making a tangible difference in our community.

Donate Food

Organize a local food drive to collect canned goods like chicken and beef stew or other essentials such as sandwich cookies and bags. Food donations directly support our programs to fight hunger in Buffalo and surrounding areas.

Shop Our Thrift Stores

Visit and shop at Hearts Thrift Stores, where your purchases support our mission to aid the homeless. Discover wonderful items while giving back to your community.

Give Financially

Support those less fortunate by making a financial contribution. Visit our Support Us page to explore more ways to help Hearts for the Homeless® continue providing essential services to those in need. Every donation has a direct impact on changing lives.

Give Through Your Employer

Participate in workplace giving by donating through the United Way Donor Choice Program at your place of employment. Your support strengthens our reach and impact in fighting homelessness.

Mail a Check

Send a tax-deductible check to support our mission to:
Hearts for the Homeless®
PO Box 437
Buffalo NY 14223

In 2023, You Helped Us Reach 61,542 Homeless and Poor People.

Poor and Homeless Served in 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015

Poor and Homeless Served in 2024

Totals YTD	Total Served	Hearts Mobile Soup Kitchen	Hearts Harvest Food Pantry	Hearts Mobile Food Pantry	Hearts Food Pantry Express	Served at Homeless Shelters
January	8,975	1,380	1,998	194	253	5,150
February	8,961	1,632	2,049	367	363	4,550
March	8,687	1,809	2,429	370	309	3,770
April	7,337	1,602	2,439	327	309	2,660
May	4,911	1,788	2,274	361	288	200
June	4,680	1,875	1,896	403	386	120
July	5,308	2,281	2,185	414	413	120
August	5,913	2,150	2,679	420	544	120
September	5,000	2,103	1,817*	442	518	120
October	5,151	2,159	1,933	425	514	120
November				0
December				0
Grand Total	65,028	18,779	21,699	3,723	3,897	16,930

2023

Totals YTD	Total Served	Hearts Mobile Soup Kitchen	Hearts Harvest Food Pantry	Hearts Mobile Food Pantry	Hearts Food Pantry Express	Served at Homeless Shelters
January	5,409	685	1,240	84	--	3,400
February	5,526	805	1,135	186	--	3,400
March	6,163	1,135	1,169	459	--	3,400
April	6,839	1,211	1,769	459	--	3,400
May	3,610	1,491	1,378	341	--	400
June	3,957	1,758	1,305	494	--	400
July	3,945	1,558	1,432	510	45	400
August	4,849	2,041	1,811	436	161	400
September	4,728	1,629	2,027	480	192	400
October	4,966	1,425	2,468	395	278	400
November	4,662	1,288	2,713	0	261	1,375
December	4,438	1,462	2,274	0	302	1,825
Grand Total	61,542	16,488	20,721	3,844	1,239	19,250

2022

Totals YTD	Total Served	Mobile Soup Kitchen	Food Pantry	Mobile Food Pantry	Served at Homeless Shelters
January	4,873	338	1,235	100	3,200
February	5,076	390	1,250	236	3,200
March	5,106	501	1,168	237	3,200
April	5,492	531	1,550	211	3,200
May	5,874	570	1,423	281	3,600
June	6,107	750	1,456	301	3,600
July	6,493	929	1,580	384	3,600
August	6,407	1,023	1,456	328	3,600
September	6,536	1,165	1,543	228	3,600
October	3,846	936	727	183	2,000
November	7,354	778	1,376	0	5,200
December	6,685	542	943	0	5,200
Grand Total	69,850	8,453	15,707	2,490	43,200

2021

Totals YTD	Total Served	Mobile Soup Kitchen	Food Pantry	Mobile Food Pantry	Served at Homeless Shelters
January	3,439	492	1,547	0	1,400
February	3,548	593	1,525	150	1,280
March	4,100	594	1,933	173	1,400
April	3,823	604	1,696	163	1,360
May	3,348	409	1,323	216	1,400
June	3,326	524	1,479	263	1,060
July	2,752	630	1,493	469	160
August	2,401	630	1,345	306	120
September	1,966	515	1,120	291	40
October	2,777	511	1,344	262	660
November	2,583	429	1,434	0	720
December	4,291	422	1,211	0	2,658
Grand Total	38,354	6,353	17,450	2,293	12,258

2020

Totals YTD	Total Served	Mobile Soup Kitchen	Food Pantry	Mobile Food Pantry	Served at Homeless Shelters
January	1,925	1,292	633	0	0
February	1,976	1,253	723	0	0
March	2,894	1,246	1,468	180	0
April	2,692	754	1,735	203	0
May	6,280	1,762	1,737	701	2,080
June	6,991	1,817	2,331	523	2,320
July	6,288	1,974	1,882	112	2,320
August	6,111	1,614	1,982	195	2,320
September	4,013	1,353	1,624	216	820
October	5,245	1,871	1,966	140	1,268
November	5,909	1,091	2,290	0	2,528
December	6,785	1,795	1,807	1,103	2,080
Grand Total	57,109	17,822	20,178	3,373	15,736

2019

Totals YTD	Total Served	Homeless	Male	Female	Children
January	1,378	390	865	171	11
February	1,119	403	921	179	19
March	1,222	482	1,402	162	18
April	1,265	556	1,001	248	23
May	1,100	389	879	221	22
June	1,166	451	929	226	11
July	1,066	335	794	240	32
August	1,126	438	871	221	34
September	936	354	743	181	12
October	1,240	546	993	237	10
November	1,165	455	910	216	39
December	1,099	451	865	219	36
Grand Total	13,882‬	5,250	11,173	2,521	267

2018

Totals YTD	Total Served	Homeless	Male	Female	Children
January	883	360	728	144	11
February	949	451	700	185	22
March	1,194	567	939	211	10
April	966	382	720	155	11
May	1,102	425	867	212	23
June	1,041	393	827	185	29
July	1,118	464	805	273	40
August	1,235	553	893	307	35
September	987	465	746	222	19
October	1,168	557	926	235	7
November	1,109	482	881	208	20
December	1,192	458	964	220	8
Grand Total	12,944	5,158	9,996	2,557	235

2017

Totals YTD	Total Served	Homeless	Male	Female	Children
January	920	438	795	115	10
February	851	332	740	103	8
March	892	411	772	109	11
April	846	343	685	153	8
May	785	347	647	132	9
June	729	326	599	127	3
July	790	327	631	327	17
August	1,026	474	823	184	19
September	940	360	726	201	13
October	1,115	483	876	233	6
November	1,169	459	918	232	19
December	948	431	774	168	6
Grand Total	11,011	4,300	8,986	2,084	129

2016

Totals YTD	Total Served	Homeless	Male	Female	Children
January	1,000	403	887	109	4
February	734	342	642	81	11
March	990	504	862	123	5
April	1,037	508	892	132	13
May	920	401	764	141	15
June	910	380	760	135	15
July	822	369	664	145	13
August	1,005	450	849	135	21
September	998	474	807	170	21
October	962	454	805	146	11
November	876	418	779	93	4
December	900	488	800	89	11
Grand Total	11,154	5,191	9,512	1,499	144

2015

Totals YTD	Total Served	Homeless	Male	Female	Children
January	805	375	701	98	6
February	548	306	484	62	2
March	886	359	762	116	8
April	1,205	585	1,034	161	10
May	1,124	472	951	171	2
June	976	382	817	145	14
July	1,036	448	857	165	14
August	972	445	819	147	6
September	907	436	775	124	8
October	1,101	504	968	131	2
November	975	449	855	112	8
December	1,199	550	1,051	140	8
Grand Total	11,734	5,311	10,074	1,572	88

*Program service level changed from two visits per month to one visit per month.