Rich Family Foundation announces $150,000 commitment to Buffalo City Mission

Donation will help fund Rich Family Kitchen of Hospitality, within construction of one-stop community center

Scheduled to open in 2020, $15 million center will provide community & preventative services, emergency shelter, transitional housing & recuperative care for homeless

On Tuesday, the Rich Family Foundation, a philanthropic arm of Rich Products, announced a $150,000 commitment to support construction for a new kitchen in the Buffalo City Mission Community Center at 100 E. Tupper St., scheduled to open in 2020. The kitchen will be named the Rich Family Kitchen of Hospitality.

“On behalf of the Buffalo City Mission, we are truly indebted to the Rich Family Foundation for this generous gift,” said Stuart Harper, CEO and executive director of the Buffalo City Mission. “Our communal dining facility has always served as a special place of community where people break bread together in the spirit of healing. The Rich Family Kitchen of Hospitality represents a continuation of providing this special environment for every individual we serve.”

“The Rich Family Foundation is proud to support the City Mission’s important service for our community’s poor and homeless,” said Howard Rich, vice president of corporate relations at Rich Products. “We share their commitment to lifting up the lives of individuals through hospitality, health, food and fellowship. Today’s donation is our way of helping the City Mission advance its work to better our community.”

The announcement was part of a ceremonial press event and check presentation at the City Mission.

“Today’s gift is an amazing example of how we can transform lives through the power of hospitality and food,” said Aubrey Calhoun, associate executive director of the City Mission. “The Rich Family Foundation’s work in this community is a testament to how a vision to serve others can put individuals on paths to future success. Our values could not be more aligned, and we look forward to working with their organization for years to come.

The commitment marks the second announced donation this month for the new community center, following a $100,000 grant from the Kaleida Health Foundation on Feb. 14.

Recently named the Alfiero Family Center of Hope and Promise, the 75,000-square-foot flagship facility 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 current City Mission will remain open throughout the construction process.

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. Today, approximately $12.3 million of a target $15 million has been committed or is in process – all through the City Mission’s “Next Century Capital Campaign.” To learn more about the campaign and how to donate, visit nextcenturycampaign.org.

About Buffalo City Mission

The Buffalo City Mission, founded in 1917, is a nonprofit organization providing preventative, emergency and transitional housing programs to thousands of people who are homeless and impoverished every year. The City Mission includes a women and children’s shelter (Cornerstone Manor), the men’s community center, and the Dick Road thrift store. For more information, visit buffalocitymission.org, call 716-854-8181 or follow on Facebook www.facebook.com/BuffaloCityMission and Twitter: https://twitter.com/CityMission.

Rich’s

Rich’s, also known as Rich Products Corp., is a family-owned food company dedicated to inspiring possibilities. From cakes and icings to pizza, appetizers and specialty toppings, its products are used in homes, restaurants and bakeries around the world. Beyond food, customers also gain insights to help them stay competitive, no matter their size. The company’s portfolio includes creative solutions geared at helping food industry professionals compete in foodservice, retail, in-store bakery, deli and prepared foods, among others. Working in 100 locations globally, with annual sales exceeding $3.8 billion, Rich’s is a global leader with “a focus on everything that family makes possible.” Learn more at Richs.com or join the conversation on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.