Buffalo City Mission kicked off annual Christmas 'Hambone Express' event by partnering with Meals on Wheels for Western New York

Volunteers deliver 3,500 meals to the poor and homeless across Western New York

The Buffalo City Mission launched its annual Hambone Express event on Christmas to deliver freshly prepared meals to the poor and homeless across Western New York. This year, the City Mission partnered on the initiative with Meals on Wheels for Western New York.

Starting early on Christmas Day, more than 200 volunteers helped the City Mission deliver meals to Buffalo’s elderly, shut-ins, and impoverished neighbors in need. These volunteers convened at the Meals on Wheels for WNY headquarters, loaded their vehicles with Christmas meals with all the fixings, and delivered more than 3,500 meals to homes across Western New York.

“In the spirit of the season, the City Mission is honored to deliver hot meals and season’s greetings to those who are struggling,” said Stuart Harper, CEO and executive director of the Buffalo City Mission. “This time of year is about fellowship and spreading goodwill in our community. The volunteers who donate their time to support our annual ‘Hambone Express’ event truly personify what the holidays represent. In partnership with Meals on Wheels for Western New York, we are helping to lift up the spirits of our neighbors who are in need and to make sure no one in our community goes hungry on Christmas Day.”

“Hambone Express” marks the City Mission’s second collaboration with Meals on Wheels for Western New York. In November, the organizations partnered on the City Mission’s annual “Turkey Express” event, which delivered 5,500 meals to the elderly, impoverished and shut-ins across Western New York.

“For the second straight month, it is our honor to partner with the Buffalo City Mission to support our neighbors in need throughout this special region,” said Christine Procknal, president and CEO of Meals on Wheels for Western New York. “During the holidays, our work to enrich lives through food carries incredible importance. Our collaboration with the City Mission is a powerful way to deliver good cheer across the community.”

Previously, “Hambone Express” was hosted at the Buffalo City Mission at 100 E. Tupper St. This year’s location was moved to accommodate for the City Mission’s construction of a new, 75,000-square-foot flagship community center. Scheduled to open in 2020, the center will provide preventative services on the front end to decrease the percentage of homelessness year-over-year for those who are on the brink of homelessness. It will also deliver more complete care to individuals who already experience homelessness. Notable features will include space for social service agencies, case management, mental health services, medical care, job training, basic family services, legal services, food and clothing.

The building is part of the City Mission’s vision moving into the next century to provide services that help prevent and decrease homelessness in the community. This is being driven by the City Mission’s “Next Century Capital Campaign,” a target goal of $15 million.

To learn more about the campaign and how to make an impact, visit nextcenturycampaign.org, or contact Aubrey Calhoun, associate executive director, at 716-854-8181, ext. 401.

For more information, visit buffalocitymission.org or call 716-854-8181; and visit www.mealsonwheelswny.org.