Helping struggling neighbors post blizzard

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- It’s been one month since the deadly blizzard moved through Buffalo and the surrounding region and many residents are still feeling the impact of the storm with high electric bills, heating costs, food insecurity and physical and mental health issues.

National grid teamed up with several agencies to provide resources to help residents get back on their feet.

Thursday, hundreds of people came to the Johnny B. Wiley Sports Pavillion on Buffalo’s East Side to get help with problems made worse by last month’s blizzard.

“What we’re doing today is working in conjunction with FeedMore WNY, and Back to Basics Ministries, to sponsor this event at the Johnny B. Wiley Sports Pavilion, and it’s an opportunity for those individuals and families that were negatively impacted by the blizzard to be able to come and get food and then we also have organizations, not for profit social service agencies, National Grid is here, and we’re here to basically help,” said Ken Kujawa, National Grid.

Last week, National Grid announced it’s donating a total million dollars to four local organizations FeedMore WNY, Back to Basics Ministries, the United Way, and the American Red Cross to help with the recovery. National Grid Regional Director Ken Kujawa says that money will help residents most impacted by the storm.

“Find a way to answer questions that people may have, provide whatever assistance our companies, or our organizations are able to give, so that as individuals are still trying to come out of the blizzard to get their lives back to where they were before the blizzard, we’re doing whatever we can to help,” said Kujawa.

Angeline Archie says she came here to get help with her electric bill and her diabetes.

“I learned a lot of things here about doctors who can help you. I have diabetes, and they helped me to find out what kind of medicine I have, and if it’s the wrong medicine. I just thank God I came down, there’s a lot of things I wanted to know,” said Angeline Archie.

“Some people are coming here because they have health issues, you have Independent Health, you have Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield offering services. Independent Health is talking about pharmaceuticals, those things that many people kind of suffered because they couldn’t get to their medications,” said Pastor James Giles, Back to Basics Ministries.

Patricia Singleton says she also struggles sometimes to pay her electric bill.

“Thank God I’m in an apartment, but with the lights I can use the help. I usually pay my bill but sometimes you catch it a little hard and you can’t,” said Singleton.

Trina Burris who heads the United Way says while they can't help to keep the lights on, they can help keep residents warm in other ways.

“We are through the generosity of Amazon and National Grid, we are giving out blankets today, and we’re working on other aspects of the National Grid donation to put money into non-profits that will be able to help individual community members as needed,” said Trina Burris, CEO United Way.

Kujawa says moving forward they plan to continue their partnership with back-to-basics ministries and all the other agencies to continue to address the needs of the community.