Tops Tragedy on Jefferson: Resource & Donation Guide
We struggle at this moment to find the words that convey our heartbreak and outrage over the tragedy at Tops on Jefferson. This abhorrent act of racial violence is domestic terrorism that's become commonplace in many manifestations for far too long. We want to think this is not who we are, but that would be disingenuous to the very people forced to endure individual and systemic atrocities.
As we fight for a more just and sustainable Buffalo Niagara region, we acknowledge the decades of historic disinvestment and segregation throughout Black communities in Buffalo did not occur overnight. There are long-term effects of anti-Blackness in many forms in the City of Good Neighbors. That's no coincidence.
Enough must finally be enough. Our collective reaction must challenge the cycle of inaction to achieve transformational systems change.
Below is an ongoing list of resources for those impacted by the tragedy at Tops on Jefferson and ways others can donate to immediate relief efforts and long-term support. We amplify Black organizations and will do our best to update this guide as more information becomes available.
Send updates and submissions to Tanvier (tanvier[at]ppgbuffalo.org).
Immediate Support
2-1-1 WNY
Call 211 or text your zip code to 716-898-211 for help or community resources. Click here to view 211's resource guide.
DoorDash
211 is able to set up food delivery with DoorDash in a 24-hour period. Please reach out to Dawn (dvanderkooi@viawny.org) for more information.
Funeral Cost Compensation
Family members who lost loved ones may be eligible for compensation to help with funeral costs. Contact the NY Office of Victim Services at 1-800-247-8035, or online at https://ovs.ny.gov.
Counseling
Free Grief and Trauma Counseling
Free mental health and trauma counseling services are available from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Johnnie B. Wiley Sports Pavilion (1100 Jefferson Avenue) through May 27. No appointment required. Services for children are available.
Critical Need: More volunteers are needed to help with greeting and door-to-door outreach in the surrounding community. Click here to sign up. Availability and needs subject to change. For more information or questions, please contact the organizer directly.
Emergency Micro-Grants for Black People in Buffalo
Black residents of the City of Buffalo impacted by the mass shooting at Tops are encouraged to fill out the following form from Black Love Resists in the Rust (BLRR). The $500 micro-grants are available for mental health-related services.
Tops & Transportation Updates
Suspended NFTA Fares
The following bus routes running through the neighborhood surrounding Tops on Jefferson will have suspended fares through the end of July:
- #12 - Utica
- #13 - Kensington
- #18 - Jefferson
- #24 - Genesee
Free Shuttle Bus to Tops on Elmwood
Tops Markets is providing a free shuttle bus to the Tops location on Elmwood Avenue while the Jefferson location remains closed. Pick-up is at the intersection of Jefferson Avenue and Riley Street from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily.
In partnership with Masten District Council Member Wingo, Tops will also provide free food and supplies through the Resource Council of WNY (347 East Ferry Street).
Rides to Buy Groceries at Tops (and Price Rite)
People residing in zip codes 14208 and 14209 can receive rides to and from the Tops on Niagara Street and the Price Rite on Elmwood.
Accessing Prescriptions
Those who use the Jefferson Avenue Tops pharmacy for their prescriptions can all (7160) 515-0050 to have them filled. Pharmacists who work at this location are now at the Tops on Elmwood Avenue for customers to contact. Arrangements can be made with the pharmacist for prescription deliveries to customers' homes.
Free Transportation for East Side Community Members
Amplifying Black Organizations
African Heritage Food Co-op
The African Heritage Food Co-op aims to serve food deserts and give ownership back to the community to dictate what foods are available in their neighborhood. Click here to make a donation.
Black Love Resists in the Rust (BLRR)
BLRR is working in partnership with Colored Girls Bike Too, Feed Buffalo, African Heritage Food Co-op, Urban Fruits and Veggies, and Dr. Samina Raja and the UB Food Lab to provide rapid response to the East Side. Follow BLRR on Facebook for updates on food pop-ups and volunteer opportunities.
Donate to fund long-term mental health and food support: https://donate-usa.keela.co/mental-health-and-food-support
Here’s a list of alternative emergency resources for mental health and social services from BLRR instead of law enforcement. As a note, you can request for police not to respond unless there are imminent safety concerns.
Buffalo Creek Academy
Sign up to participate in the Buffalo Creek Academy Food Delivery Program for free groceries delivered to your home: https://forms.gle/NHrzJAQtAJ8eEnLU8
Buffalo Go Green
Buffalo Go-Green aims to provide fresh fruit and vegetables to underserved populations and offer agricultural training and health and wellness programs. They operate an urban farm on Buffalo’s East Side and have plans for additional spaces to promote their mission. Click here to donate.
Buffalo Urban League
Black social workers are needed to assist impacted families. Please contact the Buffalo Urban League at (716) 240-2400.
Candles in the S.U.N.
Candles in the S.U.N. is offering free, fresh produce throughout the community at several locations (subject to change). Donate on Venmo @SaveUrNeighborhood or CashApp $SaveUrNeighborhood, or through Benevity at CITS Foundation Project #456809.
Colored Girls Bike Too
Colored Girls Bike Too is accepting food donation drop-offs and will coordinate food pop-ups throughout neighborhoods. Click here for more information, including updates as events and locations are subject to change.
Volunteers Needed for Pop-up Distribution
Colored Girls Bike Too and BLRR will host emergency food pop-ups throughout the East Side every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Please note donation times and locations will change. Follow Colored Girls Bike Too on Instagram for more updates and details.
Every Bottom Covered
Donate and volunteer at the first and only diaper bank in WNY by clicking here. Need diapers? Visit Every Bottom Covered at the Delavan Grider Community Center (877 E. Delavan Avenue) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays between noon and 4 p.m., and Saturdays by appointment
Feed Buffalo
Feed Buffalo is a healthy food initiative that focuses on Buffalo’s historically excluded communities, including Black and Muslim refugee neighborhoods. Click here to make a donation to Feed Buffalo
Fruit Belt Community Land Trust
Open Buffalo
Open Buffalo will pass out food bags in front of its office (1327 Jefferson Avenue). Volunteers are needed to hand out flyers throughout the community to inform about resources.
Rooted in Love
Donate to the community fridge at 347 East Ferry Street or online at: https://rootedinloveinc.com/donate-to-our-cause/
VOICE Buffalo
Donate to VOICE Buffalo’s Radical Love Funds, an ongoing campaign to provide bereavement and emergency family assistance.
Additional Resources
Food & Transportation
Buffalo Community Fridge
Pick up food at the Buffalo Community Fridge located on 257 East Ferry Street.
High-Demand Donation Items
In addition to fruits, dairy products, and vegetables, the following items remain in high demand:
- Laundry supplies (bleach, liquid detergent, dryer sheets, Tide pods)
- Baby wipes
- Diapers and pull-ups of all sizes
- Household cleaning supplies
- Single-package paper towels and toilet paper
How to Volunteer
Join the BCF Slack (https://bit.ly/BCFSlack) to stay up-to-date on ongoing efforts and help out with fridges in the BCF network.
FeedMore WNY
FeedMore is partnering with the Resource Council of WNY and Masten District Common Council Member Wingo, Sr. to distribute food donations. Information about food donations can be found here.
- Connect with the nearest food agency to your home address by using the FeedMore WNY agency locator tool: https://www.feedmorewny.org/pro.../find-food/pantry-locator/
- FeedMore WNY resource guide: https://www.feedmorewny.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/FeedMore-WNY-Food-Assistance-Buffalo-June-2022.pdf
For more information, or to make monetary donations, visit https://www.feedmorewny.org/
Housing Opportunities Made Equal (HOME)
HOME is collecting groceries for the community directly impacted by the mass shooting at Tops. Below is a list of items to donate, when and were to bring them, and an email address and phone number in case you have any questions.
Donation Items
- Non-perishable food (suggested items)
- Canned fruits/vegetables
- Dish/laundry detergent
- Feminine products
- Meat-based canned soup/stew
- Nut butters
- Plain rice/pasta
- Toilet paper
- Paper products
- Personal hygiene items
- Pet food
Item Drop-off (Monday-Friday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.)
HOME Office
1542 Main Street (corner of Main and W. Ferry)
Buffalo, NY 14209
Questions?
Contact (716) 854-1400 or info@homeny.org
Resource Council of WNY
The Resource Council of WNY is Council Member Wingo, Tops, FeedMore, and other partners to provide daily food distribution and community support services, including trauma-informed support, banking services, and more.
Response to Love
Response to Love is accepting non-perishable food donations at 130 Kosciuszko Street to provide to those most impacted on the East Side.
Support Ongoing Efforts
Buffalo 5/14 Survivor Fund
Tops is partnering with the National Compassion Fund to provide financial assistance to persons directly affected by the tragedy. One hundred percent of donations will go to survivors and victims' families. Click here to donate.
Buffalo Together Fund
The Buffalo Together Community Response Fund (BTCRF) has been established through a collaboration of local funders, coordinated by the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo and United Way of Buffalo & Erie County, to support Black-led organizations on the frontlines of addressing immediate needs in our community—including African Heritage Food Co-op, Black Love Resists in the Rust, Buffalo Freedom Gardens, Colored Girls Bike Too, Every Bottom Covered, Feed Buffalo, and more—long-term community rebuilding, and systemic issues that have marginalized communities of color.
The initial phase has begun with the identification of 70 organizations supporting efforts in the
Jefferson community to address needs. The Buffalo Together Fund is accepting continued donations at www.BuffaloTogetherFund.org.
Muslim Society of Buffalo
The Buffalo Muslim community is coming together to stand against hate and violence by raising money for direct support of the victims of the attack. Raised funds will assist with funeral costs, medical expenses, and general support to the family. Click here to make a donation.
"You Matter" Fund
The Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers (BFNC) created the "You Matter" fund to help Fruit Belt and other East Side residents who shop at the Tops on Jefferson. This fund will address transportation needs to access other grocery stores and mental health services to heal from trauma. Make a donation on the BFNC website site at: https://bfnc.org/how-to-help/ways-to-donate or call (716) 856-0363.
Food & Transportation
Buffalo Freedom Gardens
Support Buffalo Freedom Gardens to grow food throughout areas most impacted by food apartheid. Click here to make a donation.
Volunteers Needed: Freedom Gardens need volunteers to help out on Saturday, May 28, from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, please call or text (716) 359-3082.
Community Peace Market
The Peace Market will take place every Wednesday from May 15 through June 8 at the Faithful Stones Church parking lot (corner of Jefferson and Utica) to provide the community with free food, products, and services.
Dash's Market
Dash's is offering free online grocery delivery to those living in the affected area. Use code BUFFALOVE when you check out.
Western New York Peace Center
The WNY Peace Center is preparing to collect non-perishable goods for those impacted by the tragedy. Please reach out to Executive Director Deidra at 716-603-0015 or the Peace Center Google Voice at (716) 253-1486 if you're able to help out.