What do I need to know my first time?
Picture shows location of Pantry door on Depew Ave side of the church.

ID:The first time a client requests food assistance, they must bring identification for all members of their household. This will then be required every October for recertification or every time a change in the number of household occurs.

Proof of Address: Every time a client recieves food assitance, they must bring proof of address. Your ID or drivers liscense does not count. A recent piece of mail (ex. a bill, utility, or letter) is often best. This helps us to make sure we are serving folks in our three target zip codes.

Once a Month: Clients are only allowed to use this pantry once a month. On Saturday 9am-1pm you can just walk in. 

Other Food Resources
Help is available
  1. Info about other local Food Pantries and other community resources can be found here: FindHelp.org
  2. The federal food assistance program, SNAP, sometimes also called Food Stamps, is available to low-income households to encourage healthy food choices. Visit this guide for to learn more about SNAP.
    https://www.retireguide.com/social-security/benefits/food-stamps-for-seniors/ 
  3. For Erie County Community Resource Assistance, call 211, or visit 211WNY.org or text your zip code to 898-211
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A little over ten years ago, the North Buffalo Food Pantry needed a new home. The people of Parkside Lutheran welcomed the pantry with open arms and hearts. The pantry is located on the Depew Avenue side of the church, open on Saturday mornings from 9:00 to 1:00, serving the 14214, 14216, and 14217 zip codes. We average about 60 households a month. The pantry is completely staffed by volunteers from Parkside Lutheran Church and the North Buffalo community. 

Other Food Pantries can be found here: website findhelp.org and the Erie County Help Line -- call 211.

Interested in Volunteering? CLICK HERE to fill out our Volunteer Interest Form, or Contact Kristen Konkel Lenz at kristenlenz@gmail.com

In 2019 Parkside Lutheran renovated the pantry in order to better serve our neighbors. The renovation enabled the pantry to switch to client-choice model. This means folks can come in and pick out the items they actually like to eat instead of simply being handed a bag of preassembled goods. This model increases dignity and cuts down on food waste. Members of the church fundraised over $60,000 dollars and the Wendt Foundation provided a grant of $50,000 to make this possible. The space was blessed and renamed "Loaves and Fishes Room" Thank you to all the donors who made this happen! 

Find Food Near You!
Not in one of the zip codes we serve?

Use FeedMore WNY to find a pantry near you! https://www.feedmorewny.org/programs-services/find-food/

Pantry Location

Enter through the ramp door on the Depew avenue side of the building.

Parkside Lutheran Church
2 Wallace Ave.
Buffalo, New York
14214 United States