Donation drive to support Jefferson Avenue community

The UB community is continuing to support its neighbors in need following the May 14 mass shooting at the Jefferson Avenue Tops market through a donation drive organized by the Office of Government and Community Relations.

There’s already been a huge outpouring of support for the drive, which has been underway since May 23 and will run through the end of the day on June 10.

“We picked up two carloads of items from the Downtown Campus already, on Friday, May 27, and another carload from North Campus on Wednesday, June 1,” says Melissa Wood, assistant director of community relations.

Wood notes that items collected will go to FeedBuffalo and the WNY Resource Council’s collection site on East Ferry Street. She also added that the Community Relations office in Parker Hall will continue to collect items through June 30 for any who would like to continue to support those impacted by the Tops market closure. “It’s important that we remember this community will still need support long after talk of the shooting leaves our social media feeds,” Wood says.

Tops, the only supermarket serving the immediate neighborhood where the shooting occurred, has been closed since the shooting.

UB faculty, staff and students can donate non-perishable food, personal items and home care supplies during regular business hours at sites on all three campuses:

• North Campus: 501 Capen Hall and 410 Bonner Hall.
• South Campus: 122 Parker Hall (through June 30) and the atrium of the Biomedical Education Building.
• Downtown Campus: near the guard station on the first floor at the Washington Street entrance.

Among the items needed:

• Non-perishable food supplies: ground coffee; canned or dry beans; canned fruits and vegetables; shelf-stable milk and milk substitutes; unsweetened apple sauce; olive or canola oil; and chicken, beef and vegetable broths and stocks.
• Personal care items: shampoo and conditioner; soap and body wash; lotion; toothbrushes and toothpaste; mouthwash; deodorant; pads and tampons; Band-Aids; hand sanitizer; and diapers and wipes.
• Home care supplies: paper towels; toilet paper; laundry detergent; dish soap; and cleaning supplies.

A list of community resources and ways to support the community can be found on the Office of Inclusive Excellence’s website.