Catholic Central Food Pantry *
350 Dewey Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14214
*formerly Helping Hands Food Pantry
Eleven pair of helping hands greet clients of our food bank.
Photo credit: Gary Kelley
In August, 2013, the Helping Hands Food Pantry (the Pantry), formerly located at 3021 Bailey Avenue and serving residents in the geographic area identified by the Zip Code 14215, relocated to Blessed Trinity’s St. Charles Hall at 350 Dewey Avenue. With the permission of the Food Bank of WNY, the Pantry has expanded its service area to include households in Zip Code 14214. On August 24, 2013, Helping Hands began distributing food from its new location.
Food Pantry Hours: NEW HOURS, effective January 8, 2020 – Wednesdays from noon to 2:00 p.m.
Assistance Provided: Each client is allowed to receive a food supplement defined by Food Bank to serve a household for three days. Limited supplies of baby items, some books and clothes are also available.
Requirements to Receive Assistance: All individuals who come for food assistance must reside in Zip Codes 14214 or 14215 and present identification showing their name and current address, such as a driver’s license or a current utility bill (gas, electric, etc.). They are also asked to sign a qualification guideline.
Access to St. Charles Hall: The Pantry is located on the basement level of St. Charles Hall, 350 Dewey Avenue. Visitors are asked to enter through the doors on the right side of the building’s Dewey Avenue entrance.
Parking: There is parking lot for clients of the Pantry in front of St. Charles Hall. Enter the lot from Dewey Avenue.
To Volunteer: Volunteers are needed each Wednesday from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. During the thirty minutes before the panty opens, volunteers sort, package and display bread and pastries and move equipment and shelving into position. After the pantry closes at 2:00 p.m., volunteers return equipment to storage areas and sweep the hallway.
Most of our food is purchased from the Food Bank of Western New York. Several grants processed and managed by the Food Bank of WNY help to secure the food for our Catholic Central Food Pantry. Additional food donated by parishioners and others in the local area is first reviewed for expiration date. After this review is completed, the food is arranged on shelving units for client distribution. We use the “Client Choice” method of distribution. Although the number of items are limited by family size, clients are allowed to make their own choices from the available items.
The Pantry also provides clothing donated for clients by: other clients; volunteers who receive them from their family, friends, neighbors and co-workers; and parishioners.These are sorted by volunteers and are available for clients each week that there are sufficient volunteers to sort and maintain the clothing displayed. Volunteers discard soiled clothing and clothing that is not presentable. Clothing is folded and placed on shelves, and clients are encouraged to select suitable items for themselves and/or their children.
To volunteer, call Dan at 716-465-4771 or Click HERE to sign up at the United Way website: http://www.volunteerwny.org.
