COVID-19 Resources
Hearts is excited to be supporting two homeless shelters with meals during COVID-19. This started in the spring of 2020 and is continuing into the fall and winter months. For more info please call our office.
Hearts is committed to serving the community this fall and winter despite COVID-19. We continue to take precautions for our staff and volunteers. If you are in need of immediate assistance please call 211.
Hearts is actively working to secure additional Food Boxes for the community.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
211 Referral Center
211 WNY is a free and confidential link to information on health and human services, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These include housing, job training, food, shelter, clothing, pregnancy, employment, mental health, developmental disabilities and more.
Just dial 2-1-1 from your phone (or 1-888-696-9211). You will speak with a “live” local community resource specialist who can help you identify programs and services to meet your specific needs. You can also do your own search for these same services online at 211wny.org.
Code Blue
Nonprofits in WNY come together to support the homeless population through The Code Blue Collaborative. The goal of Code Blue is to best support the homeless population by providing shelter and meals to our most vulnerable population.
"Code Blue" is the City of Buffalo’s emergency weather safety plan that provides outreach, transportation, shelter and a warm meal to Buffalo's homeless population on evenings when temperatures and wind chill fall to 15 degrees or below from November 15 to March 15.
“Code Blue 32” is an expansion of our Code Blue initiative that will be called on nights when temperatures or wind chill are between 16 to 32 degrees and will include Shelter and Day Time Warming Center services at our Harbor House (St. Luke’s will be closed these nights) and other warming centers.
“Code Blue 19” is in response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic. Local non-profits have come together to support the homeless by providing shelter and meals in an effort to protect the homeless from the spread of COVID-19. The following shelters are open for Code Blue-19 as of 4.29.20:
Code-19 Shelters open 4/29 & 4/30 in Buffalo & East Aurora.
The following shelters are currently open 24 hours:
- ECC Flickenger Athletic Center, 21 Oak Street, Buffalo
- Rural Outreach Center, 765 Olean Road, East Aurora
The following shelters are currently open to MEN only from 6pm to 8am:
- Holy Cross, 412 Niagara Street, Buffalo
The following reference material as of 4.29.20 may assist you or someone in need:
If you encounter individuals on the street or in need of a place to stay please direct them to our Shelters. Let the person know that the NFTA has waived fares so they are ride the bus to the shelter for free.
To receive Code Blue-19 updates for the City of Buffalo, text CodeBlueBuffalo to 898-211. This notification is available to anyone including clients.
Outside of the City of Buffalo
Rural Outreach Center provides Code-19 Shelter
Rural Outreach Center (ROC) is located at 765 Olean Road, East Aurora. Service area is Southern Erie County, specifically the towns of West Seneca, Alden, Elma, Marilla, Hamburg, Orchard Park, Aurora, Wales, Evans, Eden, Concord, Boston, Colden, Holland, Brant, Angola, Gowanda, North Collins, Sardinia, Collins, and Springville.
Individuals in need of shelter for Southern Erie County can call 716-240-2220 x106. ROC has an outreach van that will be dispatched to pick up homeless individuals in these areas and bring them to shelter.
To receive Code Blue-19 updates for the Southern Erie County, text CodeBlueSouthernErie to 898-211. This notification is available to anyone including clients.
Please visit the Code Blue Facebook Page for up to date information or call 211.