A powerful winter storm brought heavy snow, high winds, and brutal cold to most of the US, creating a lake-effect snow event in Erie County, New York late last week. The storm resulted in over 50 inches of snow covering Buffalo, making roads impassable and leaving many without power.
Being referred to by Governor Kathy Hochul as the “most devastating storm in Buffalo’s long storied history,” many people are now banding together to help with relief efforts to those affected.
From food drop-offs to snow-clearing initiatives and donating to nonprofits, here are ways Buffalo businesses are taking action and how you can help from NYC:
1. Buffalo Blizzard 2022 Facebook group: helping those in need
This Facebook group has been used in previous storms too, and it aims to help those that are in need during the storm. People are urged to post in the group if they’re in need of help with the hopes that there will be someone around you to lend a helping hand. The group has 70,141 total members, with a staggering 6,000 who joined in the last week alone.
2. Snow clearing with nonprofit Buffalo Gives
In association with four other Western New York nonprofits, the nonprofit Buffalo Gives has organized a snow-clearing effort on Buffalo’s East Side for this mornin5.g, Thursday, December 29. Volunteers willing to help are asked to meet at the Delavan Grider Community Center at 877 E. Delavan Ave. at 11a.m. and bring snow-clearing tools if they have.
3. Buffalo Community Fridge: accepting food drop-offs
The Buffalo Community Fridge is a mutual aid network of community fridges dedicated to giving Buffalo communities access to fresh and healthy food, and in the wake of the recent storm they’re sharing links to food, warming, and relief resources to their Instagram stories. Plus their fridges are also open and ready to accept drop-offs from anyone who can help. Learn more on their Instagram here.
4. Aid in numerous ways through Buffalo Mutual Aid Network
Buffalo Mutual Aid Network, a community organization local to Buffalo, is organizing a number of ways you can help those in need, from snow clearing to grocery distribution. You can find all the ways they’re organizing help on their Instagram here.
5. Donate to a nonprofit
Nonprofits are some of the best ways to aid those in need, as they can easily collect items/accept donations and figure out the best way to distribute it. Two nonprofits local to Buffalo that are aiding in storm relief include:
*This list will be updated as needed so be sure to keep checking back!