January 2020 Newsletter

By Hearts for the Homeless | January 9, 2020

On Our Hearts

As Hearts stepped into 2020, we fed 72 poor and homeless people the first night out. As we continue our mission to serve the poor and homeless, we have two announcements to share with you:

You may already know, Hearts has been preparing a building to open Hearts Harvest Food Pantry & Café to fill a need in the community we reside. The need is great and there are many people who are not currently being served at a local food pantry. We still have a ways to go before the building is completed. However, right before Christmas, we received word that there was an urgent need for Hearts to consider opening ahead of schedule even if it wasn’t in the new building. Hearts’ food pantry expansion was put on a fast track to open in January.

Our team at Hearts was eagerly getting ready to celebrate the Christmas holidays when the news came. But, the need was greater and we knew we had to switch gears. The only food pantry in Riverside lost its lease, and after efforts of opening at a new location, they ran into a zoning snag. With the help and encouragement of Feedmore WNY (Food Bank) to get us set up, we jumped in with both feet so that the families in the Hearts’ community won’t miss out on their resources for food this month. Our opening day is January 13th.

Click on this link to read the exciting news about the food pantry

Please join us in prayer as we go forward. Our space is limited and we are now even more eager for the interior construction of the new building to be completed so that the people in our community can have a place to receive their food allotments in a comfortable atmosphere.

The second announcement comes in letter form from our Board of Directors to share the news of Nick Calandra in his new role at Hearts as Founder and Executive Director, Ron Calandra, takes a leave of absence after nearly 3 decades of serving people from all walks of life and carrying the mantle of Hearts for the Homeless. As Ron has reached a countless number of people in Buffalo over the years, he has shared his vision and instilled his commitment for the underprivileged in Nick to pick up his mantle and go forward. That letter of announcement from the Board is enclosed with this newsletter.

Click on this link to read the letter from Hearts Board of Directors

We realize that we shared two major pieces of news with you. Your continued prayers and support are needed as we walk out what God has imparted onto the team at Hearts for the Homeless.

The same holds true for the poor people we serve – they come to eat at Hearts Mobile Soup Kitchen so they can use their cash for rent and utilities, and have a home to go to. Hearts doesn’t turn anyone away that stands in our feeding line. Most of us can empathize with the harsh reality that “the poor is still with us and always will be.” Deuteronomy 15:11

So, as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, this Christmas, and celebrate Hearts’ 29^th year in service to the poor and homeless of Buffalo, we want to thank every one of you who has provided us that opportunity through your giving.

Do you have 2 hours available one night a week and interested in helping feed the homeless?

Email [email protected], call our office at 716-877-3536 or fill out an application online at heartsforthehomeless.org

By donating, your support changes lives.

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Talk from the Street & Heart

12/28: Served 60; our Saturday Mobile Crew handed out Santa bags with snacks and toiletries. Clients were thrilled that Santa remembered them!

Christmas Eve Dinner

Support the homeless by donating to one of our red Donation Bins. Donations of clothing, shoes, blankets, and accessories can be made at one of our 400+ distinctive red bins. Your donations directly support the poor and homeless. While proceeds from our thrift store and recycling ministry are used to feed those in need and to maintain and expand our ministry. Use our Bin Finder below to find your nearest donation bin:

Bin Finder