Mission Statement
The St. Adalbert Response to Love Center is dedicated to helping poverty-stricken individuals and families on the East Side of Buffalo. People of all ages, races, gender, ethnicity, religion, and cultural backgrounds are welcome at our center. We empower people to take responsibility for their lives and encourage self-sufficiency through dignity and compassion. We develop relationships with individuals and introduce them to people and programs that will assist with their individual problems or needs. We attempt to provide as many services as possible right at our center so people will not have to travel to other locations to receive needed services.
Description
In 1985, the Diocese of Buffalo closed St. Adalbertâ s Elementary School. At that time, The St. Adalbert Response to Love Center was established to serve the needs of the people in the local community. During the past 17 years, the center has grown from a daily food kitchen to a second home for many of the people who live in the area. It is a place where people go to see their friends, eat a meal and receive needed services such as blood pressure testing or counseling. The organization, run by four Felician Sisters from St. Adalbertâ s Convent, is a haven for the needy in the area and a place to teach people the values of self-worth, dignity and respect. There are no paid staff members that work at the center. More than 90 volunteers donate their time to help run the programs at the center. The center currently operates a daily food kitchen, monthly food pantry and several other programs for homeless individuals, veterans, elderly, and local youth. Last year, Response to Love Center serviced 27,546 people in their food kitchen, 230 of whom were homeless. Monthly, the Response to Love food pantry provides a 9-day food supply to 175 people, seven of whom are homeless. Homeless people are accepted at the center and treated with dignity and respect. Clothing is given to them according to size and weather conditions, as well as personal toiletries, blankets, and canned goods. Homeless individuals are referred to appropriate shelters for further assistance. Other programs include: thrift shop, holiday meals for the needy, Veteranâ s Coalition Advocacy Program, counseling and crisis services, youth awareness program, Buffalo News Neediest Fund Food and Toy Drive, meal program for the elderly and homebound, and prison ministry.
