Hearts Completes $200,000 Fundraising Goal for Commercial Kitchen Renovation

Nourishing the Community through Dignified Service®

Buffalo, NY: Hearts for the Homeless® announces the renovation project for the Commercial Kitchen will soon start. This project has been blessed with several significant donations and Hearts has raised $201,776.56 towards the renovation, exceeding their goal.

For close to 25 years, the commercial kitchen at Hearts has largely remained unchanged and has been preparing meals to serve those in need year after year. In turn, impacting the lives of tens of thousands of our brothers and sisters. Since 1997, the Commercial Kitchen at Hearts has served a total of 530,987 meals. For over two decades Hearts served an average of 12,000 meals annually to men, women and children through our Mobile Soup Kitchen. Since 2019, Hearts has been an evening meal provider for the Code Blue emergency shelters. Over the last five years, Hearts has served an average of 34,890 meals annually; a 190% increase or around three times what the kitchen was designed for.

 

The bustling commercial kitchen has been facing its own challenge – keeping up with ever-growing demand. And because of their generous donors, Hearts can make this dream renovation into a reality. 

Hearts for the Homeless® would like to thank their largest donors: M&T Bank, Odd Fellow & Rebekah Benefit Fund, Inc., The Soviero Foundation, Jenna Goldsmith, National Fuel Gas Distribution Corporation, Evans-Devereux Memorial Fund and Frank’s Basement Systems. 

M&T Bank recently awarded Hearts for the Homeless® a grant in the amount of $68,664.00. The grant will cover the cost of the exhaust hood. Commercial kitchen exhaust hoods are an integral part of a commercial kitchen, providing ventilation and protection for staff and volunteers from smoke and odors produced during cooking. Specifically, this grant will help support the renovation of the Hearts Commercial Kitchen with building a brighter future.

Hearts for the Homeless® would also like to thank their project partners: DWC Mechanical Inc., D&M Refrigeration and Lamparelli Construction.

Features and benefits of the Hearts Commercial Kitchen Renovation:

• Amplifying impact: Modern equipment will mean more meals, cooked faster and healthier, reaching thousands more each month.
• Dignity in every dish: A spacious, hygienic kitchen fosters an environment where volunteers and staff can work with pride and ease, preparing food that nourishes both body and soul.
• Sustainability for tomorrow: Energy-efficient upgrades and improved plumbing will not only reduce our carbon footprint but also ensure long-term viability.

The Hearts Commercial Kitchen is located at 890 Tonawanda St. Buffalo, NY 14207.

For more information on the Hearts Commercial Kitchen Renovation, visit https://heartsforthehomeless.org/commercial-kitchen-renovation .

About Hearts for the Homeless®: Hearts is a charitable organization that clothes and feeds the chronic homeless, poor and those in need. Since 1990, Hearts has been dedicated to serving the community through relationship ministry. Characterized by a profound spiritual motivation to share the Word of God, Hearts’ staff and volunteers nourish the community physically and spiritually through various outreach programs and initiatives.