A Report to the Community

Our Mission

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is a Catholic sponsored human service agency serving anyone in need in the eight counties of Western New York. Believing all persons are created by God, we advocate for equity and justice for all people and empower individuals, children and families to achieve and maintain meaningful, healthy and productive lives.

Our Vision

Catholic Charities will be a community leader in providing quality, effective and efficient human services.

We will be the premier agency of choice for clients, donors, employees and volunteers.

We will be the beacon of hope for those in need.

Strengthening Communities, One Pantry at a Time

In 2024, Catholic Charities of Buffalo marked a year of transformative growth and renewal in its mission to combat food insecurity across Western New York. Two major milestones highlighted the organization’s commitment to enhancing accessibility, dignity, and community support for individuals and families in need: the openings of the new Lovejoy Food Pantry and Perry-St. Brigid Food Pantry locations.

LOVEJOY FOOD PANTRY: A Tradition of Care, Renewed
September saw the relocation of the Lovejoy Food Pantry to a new, updated space at 118 Schiller Street in Buffalo. Situated just across the parking lot from its previous home on North Ogden Street, this move reflects a thoughtful commitment to better serve the more than 2,500 households that rely on the pantry each year. Julie Lulek, Senior Director, said the goal of the new location is to provide a welcoming and safe environment for staff and volunteers to serve community members with their dietary needs. The new one-level facility includes an accessible design, a dedicated client welcome area, and a covered service space for supplemental food distributions, allowing clients waiting outdoors for food distribution protection from inclement weather.

The relocation also supports expanded offerings, including more client choice in meeting special dietary needs and providing culturally appropriate foods. The Lovejoy Food Pantry, which operates Wednesdays and Fridays, has been a cornerstone of the neighborhood since 1990, underscoring Catholic Charities’ long-standing presence and impact in the community.

PERRY-ST. BRIGID FOOD PANTRY: Honoring the Past, Building for the Future
Earlier in the year, Catholic Charities celebrated the opening of the new Perry-St. Brigid Food Pantry at 305 Perry Street. This facility, which replaced the former Fulton-St. Brigid location, boasts a 2,500-square-foot space within the Commodore Perry Extension apartments, funded by a $500,000 capital improvement initiative from the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority (BMHA).

Deacon Steve Schumer, President and CEO of Catholic Charities, blessed the new pantry during a dedication ceremony that drew praise from local leaders, including Buffalo Deputy Mayor Dr. Callie Johnson. “This brand-new facility will be able to serve more residents and will be more accessible. I want to thank Catholic Charities for once again stepping up and making a difference in our City,” Dr. Johnson said.

The Perry-St. Brigid Food Pantry serves approximately 1,745 households annually and is open on Wednesdays. Its expanded layout includes a waiting room, offices, storage, and service areas, enhancing the overall client experience. “This new space allows us to provide more choice, better meet dietary needs, and reduce food waste—all while treating our clients with dignity,” noted Lulek.

The Perry-St. Brigid Food Pantry carries a legacy dating back to the 1859 founding of St. Brigid Parish in Buffalo’s Old First Ward. The name honors the parish’s pivotal role in supporting Irish immigrants and later its work in addressing food insecurity.

A NETWORK OF HOPE
The Lovejoy and Perry-St. Brigid Food Pantries are two of nine Catholic Charities pantry and outreach centers serving Western New York, with seven in Erie County and additional locations in Wellsville and Franklinville. Each pantry offers emergency food, referrals, and support from trained volunteers dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate challenging times.

These milestones reflect Catholic Charities’ unwavering commitment to building stronger, healthier communities. By offering safe, welcoming spaces and innovative approaches to client care, Catholic Charities continues to fulfill its mission of serving those in need with compassion, dignity, and respect.

Together, we are feeding hope and strengthening our community.

Expanding Hope and Stability: Supportive Housing Programs

This past fiscal year, Catholic Charities of Buffalo proudly participated in transformative housing initiatives designed to bring stability, dignity, and a sense of community to vulnerable populations. Two exceptional developments, Noles Court and Angela’s House, highlight our mission in action.

NOLES COURT
Opened in December 2023, Noles Court, located at 99 Best Street in Buffalo, is part of a $93 million project spearheaded by New York State to provide affordable housing on the city’s East Side. Located in the Fruit Belt neighborhood, Noles Court features 49 one-bedroom apartments for individuals 55 and older who are homeless, have a chronic condition, and are Medicaid-eligible. Residents, paying 30% of their income, benefit from fully funded support through the Empire State Supportive Housing Initiative (ESSHI).

Catholic Charities provides case management for ESSHI tenants, connecting them to medical care, mental health resources, community services, and employment opportunities. Monthly events, such as karaoke and health awareness workshops, help foster connections among tenants. One tenant, initially isolated due to severe trauma, has grown into an active participant in the community thanks to consistent support from staff.

ANGELA’S HOUSE
Located at 590 Doat Street in Cheektowaga, Angela’s House, a project spearheaded by the Felician Sisters of St. Francis and Delta Development of Western New York, saw the renovation of the former Villa Maria Academy into apartments for lower-income and homeless seniors. It offers fully furnished one-bedroom apartments with accessible amenities for individuals with mobility, hearing, or visual needs. Utilities, laundry, and case management are included, along with health and wellness programs designed to enhance residents’ quality of life.

These supportive housing programs exemplify Catholic Charities’ dedication to addressing homelessness and fostering community, offering not just housing but pathways to holistic stability and belonging.

Celebrating the Dedication and Recognition of Our Volunteers

Catholic Charities of Buffalo relies heavily on community support, including the work of our volunteers. This year, their extraordinary dedication earned both state and national recognition, showcasing the profound impact they have every day on those across the eight counties of Western New York.

DEB MOTT: CURA Award for Outstanding Caregiver
In the fall, Deb Mott, a kinship caregiver volunteer from Hinsdale, was honored by the New York State KinCare Coalition with the CURA Award for Outstanding Caregiver. A founding member of the Cattaraugus County kinship group, Deb exemplifies resilience and compassion. As a single grandmother who raised her grandchildren, Deb faced significant challenges, including her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. Despite this, she remained deeply involved, volunteering to teach painting classes to other kinship families.

“Deb has been a mentor to countless caregivers, offering empathy and guidance to those navigating their new roles,” said Danielle Kielar, kinship caregiver social worker. Deb’s work embodies the spirit of kinship care, ensuring children receive the love and stability they need while supporting caregivers.

KATHY ELIAS: Transforming Refugee Housing
Kathy Elias leads a team of over 100 volunteers, “Kathy’s Happy Helpers,” as part of the Immigration & Refugee Assistance Program. Starting with home setups for Afghan refugees, Kathy developed a system for collecting and organizing donated items to transform basic shelters into welcoming homes.

“Kathy and her team go above and beyond, creating spaces that bring comfort and hope to families who arrive with little more than their resilience,” said Lauren Mye, program supervisor for the Immigration and Refugee Assistance Program. Mye shared that thanks to the work of Kathy and her team, a family of eight, who had initially planned to leave Buffalo, chose to stay after seeing their beautifully prepared home.

Through their selflessness, Deb and Kathy exemplify the mission of Catholic Charities: to empower and uplift those in need, ensuring dignity, equity, and hope for all. Their recognition underscores the transformative power of volunteerism in creating lasting change.

1115 Waiver: Advancing Health Equity Through Social Care

The New York Health Equity Reform 1115 Waiver Amendment offers Catholic Charities of Buffalo a groundbreaking opportunity to expand its impact on community well-being. By redirecting Medicaid funds from direct clinical services to social care initiatives, the waiver supports essential services like transportation, transitional housing, food assistance, and health-related social needs (HRSN) screenings.

Through the waiver, all Medicaid recipients undergo a standardized screening to identify barriers such as housing instability, nutritional gaps, and educational or workforce challenges. Catholic Charities will focus on providing these screenings, along with service navigation and care coordination, ensuring clients are connected to the resources they need. Unlike traditional funding models, the waiver introduces Medicaid reimbursement for these critical social services, creating a sustainable model that reduces the reliance on Appeal funding.

“This new funding provides an opportunity to focus on one of the things we do best, such as case management and housing support, while collaborating with other providers for services like transportation or meal delivery,” said Megan Lostracco-Reed, Catholic Charities Senior Director.

The waiver also incentivizes improved outcomes by tying reimbursements to value-based metrics. Success in meeting or exceeding these goals could result in additional bonus payments, further strengthening Catholic Charities’ programs.
This initiative not only sustains current services but also positions Catholic Charities as a key partner in addressing social determinants of health. By aligning its expertise with community needs, the agency continues to advance its mission, providing hope and tangible solutions to those it serves.

147,470

People served through more than 50 programs offered across 50 locations

A Centennial Worth Celebrating

Our 100th anniversary in the Western New York Community gave us a golden opportunity to explore new ways to tell our story. In today’s age, that looked like getting our story down on film.

Working alongside Buffalo-based ad agency Abbey Mecca, we produced a half-hour long documentary film, titled “A Century of HOPE: Catholic Charities of Buffalo 1923-2023.” It was broadcast a total of four times on WBBZ, WGRZ and WUTV in January 2024. Our Catholic Charities team identified and brought on board 16 interviewees that represented our past and present, sharing their first-hand accounts of key moments in our history and their hopes for our future.

The documentary film was a highlight of our centennial year, offering us a moment to reflect on our rich history in the community and the impacts we have had and sustained over the years.

In addition to the documentary, our centennial year included a kickoff luncheon, a robust social media campaign, community outreach efforts, a coffee-table style book, and a culminating celebration Mass and luncheon.

We’re so grateful to those who joined in our celebrations, but we are especially indebted to those who came before us and made Catholic Charities what it is today – truly an agency worth celebrating!

Financial Stewardship
July 2023—June 2024