Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers Expands Food Pantry Capacity to Address Growing Food Insecurity
Buffalo, NY – In a significant development aimed at combating food insecurity on Buffalo’s East Side, the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC) has announced a major expansion of its food pantry services. The organization, which has operated a pantry in the area for the past 13 years, has recently completed renovations costing over 0,000 at its Neighborhood House facility located at 76 Orange St. With these improvements, the BFNC anticipates that it will now be able to serve twice as many families each month, increasing its capacity from approximately 150 to around 300 families.
Chandra Redfern, CEO of BFNC, described the previous facility as a “small space” that was not conducive to the needs of the community, stating, “It was dimly lit, but there was a need, and so people were coming.” The expansion project involved removing walls, enhancing electrical systems, and upgrading lighting, ultimately creating a more welcoming and functional environment for families seeking assistance.
This expansion comes at a critical time. Amid rising inflation and increasing living costs, many families are finding it increasingly difficult to secure adequate nutrition. “Everything is more expensive, and they just don’t have enough money,” Redfern noted. “People should not be unable to have a nutritious meal, or a meal at all, because they can’t afford it. That just doesn’t make sense in the country that we live in.”
Statistics illustrate the dire situation in Buffalo’s East Side, where the poverty rate stands at approximately 32.6%. Furthermore, nearly 43% of residents rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for food assistance. Redfern is concerned that these numbers may only scratch the surface of the community’s needs, asserting, “I would dare say in some areas, the numbers are even higher—unfortunately.”
Despite the expanded services, Redfern emphasized that food pantries provide only a temporary solution to the systemic issues surrounding food insecurity. Many pantry users are working families struggling to make ends meet, rather than the stereotype of individuals solely relying on assistance. “A lot of people that utilize our pantry are working people with families,” Redfern explained.
In addition to current renovations, plans are already in motion for further enhancements to the back portion of the building, which will feature new community meeting spaces. The organization aims to complete this next phase by fall, further solidifying its commitment to supporting the community.
The BFNC food pantry operates every Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., providing residents with not only dry goods, but also fresh meat and vegetables. As the demand for food assistance continues to rise, the newly expanded pantry seeks to alleviate some of the burdens faced by families in the area while raising awareness of the broader issues contributing to food insecurity in Buffalo.
This proactive response highlights not only the pressing need for food support but also the ongoing effort of community organizations to create sustainable solutions for residents facing economic hardship.
