June 2024 Newsletter
The Power Of A Sandwich: Impacting Lives & Strengthening Partnerships
Two slices of bread, mayo and lunch meat can be the biggest impact on someone’s day. A sandwich can not only fill a hungry stomach but provide hope to those craving renewal. And it’s not just one type of sandwich made for the masses; these sandwiches are made with dignity in mind. Hearts provides the choice of peanut butter and jelly, chicken salad, tuna salad, ham or turkey and when blessed with unique food donations Hearts’ cook and volunteers make specialty sandwiches. These are distributed through Hearts’ Mobile Soup Kitchen and our meal partnerships.
Little Portion Friary, a homeless shelter, appreciates having sandwiches from Hearts to give to their residents for lunch. These meals support their recent efforts to provide wrap around services for their guests. This allows their guests to feel safe and secure and work on their goals to remain sober. The constant unknown that comes with living on the streets is relieved when staying at Little Portion Friary. Hearts helps them to provide some additional certainty through the lunch program and by providing supplemental meals when needed. Many people staying at the shelter do work. So oftentimes, the sandwiches are taken to-go for lunch during work. Your support allows a lunch, that we may take for granted in our daily lives, to be something that can be counted on after so much uncertainty & food insecurity. There is power in a sandwich.
“We are so grateful for the support and mission of Hearts. Little Portion Friary relies on a small staff and over 100 volunteers. The partnership with Hearts allows us to provide an impactful program for our guests”, said Ellen Wood, Executive Director of Little Portion Friary.
Will Marcy, friend of the homeless who is involved with several agencies serving the homeless, comes every week to Hearts to pick up 100 sandwiches for Curbside Church, a ministry of the Buffalo Dream Center. Here, dedicated members get the chance to spread the word of God and serve food every Sunday at Fireman’s Park in downtown Buffalo. Many are finding better housing situations and jobs through the power of prayer and the support of community partnerships.
Hearts’ cook and volunteers put a lot of love into these sandwiches to make sure no one goes hungry. Making sure every man, woman and child Hearts encounters, directly or through partners, are provided hope and served with dignity.
Thank you to our donors and volunteers who help make all of this possible week after week!
Donate Towards Our Sandwich Efforts
Your donation will help purchase all the essentials to make a sandwich with dignity.
Hearts Harvest Food Pantry
The food pantry offers a dignified program utilizing a “client choice” distribution method so individuals and families can choose the food that personally suits their needs.
In May, Hearts Harvest Food Pantry Served 20,466 Meals
| Households | Infants | Toddlers | Children | Adults | Seniors | Individuals |
| 624 | 28 | 46 | 902 | 1,093 | 205 | 2,274 |
Hearts Harvest Food Pantry serves the Riverside community
Tuesdays 12:00 PM – 4:00 PM and Fridays 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM.
Hearts Food Pantry Express
Hearts Food Pantry Express is a mobile solution designed to address food insecurity in communities across Western New York.
In May, Hearts Mobile Food Pantry Expresses Served 2,592 Meals
| Households | Infants | Toddlers | Children | Adults | Seniors | Individuals |
| 108 | 6 | 13 | 71 | 135 | 63 | 288 |
Hearts Food Pantry Express at Christ United Methodist Church serves Mondays 12:30 PM – 4:40 PM. Hearts Food Pantry Express at Buffalo First Church of the Nazarene serves Thursdays 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Hearts Mobile Food Pantry
May’s Mobile Food Pantry was our first outdoor pantry of 2024. Rain or shine, Hearts is here to serve the community with helpful volunteers.
In May, Hearts Mobile Food Pantry Expresses Served 361 Meals
| Households | Infants | Toddlers | Children | Adults | Seniors | Individuals |
| 110 | 1 | 5 | 140 | 156 | 59 | 361 |
Hearts Mobile Food Pantry is held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at the Hearts Campus from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Volunteering as a group is a great way to get out in the community and help Hearts carry out our mission while having rewarding experiences. Check out our newest blog “Work Better Together with Group Volunteering” highlighting the benefits of group volunteering.
