by Connie Oswald Stofko
I don’t know what to say.
On Saturday a man shot 13 people, leaving 10 dead, at the Tops on Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo. The suspect said his intention was to kill Black people.
What does one say when something this horrifying happens? I have no words.
But we can’t ignore what happened.
Here are some ways you can help.
Since the Jefferson Avenue Tops is closed, MAP (Massachusetts Avenue Project) will join BFLO Wormworks, Faithful Stones Church and other partners for a weekly Community Peace Market at 299 East Utica (corner of East Utica and Jefferson) to distribute free produce, eggs, seedlings and more. The Community Peace Market will be held from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 18 and on at least four more consecutive Wednesdays. MAP will also help facilitate donation, food storage and transportation in partnership with several Community Fridges on the East Side.
Donations of perishable and non perishable items for the Peace Market and fridges can be dropped off from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Massachusetts Avenue Project, 387 Massachusetts Ave., Buffalo.
There are many more organizations that are helping out, and you can find out about them in this list compiled by Buffalo Rising. A suggestion at the end of the list is to support Black-owned businesses in the neighborhood.
And you can visit the East Side Garden Walk this year to see how welcoming the neighborhoods are. Put it on your calendar this year: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, July 23 and 24.
You can leave comments below.
Glenda, thank you so much for your kind and generous response. It was helpful to me.
As a past resident of the affected neighborhood I thank you! Just your concern and willingness to speak up and out says much and does much as a balm during this time. It is a salve of peace, love, and concern without empty hands. If you know Jesus, he fed and met the physical needs of those souls he came in contact with BEFORE he preached his gospel to them. Again, I say thank you for your heart!
Thank you for those concrete suggestions of ways to help! Although I believe prayers matter, it is just as satisfying to fill a refrigerator or shopping basket in times of need.