BUFFALO, N.Y. — Numerous groups and government agencies have resources available both to the family of the victims and community members who have been affected by the mass shooting at a Buffalo Tops grocery store that left 10 people dead and three others injured.
Among those offering services include:
- Crisis Services operates a 24-hour hotline at 716-834-3131.
- Mental Health Advocates of Western New York has a host of support groups and wraparound services for teens, adults and families.
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Buffalo and Erie County works to support families who may be dealing with any fallout of this situation.
- The Erie County Deptartment of Mental Health has a list of community providers and services.
- The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has a guide on how to cope with managing distress after a mass shooting, and guides on how to talk to your children after traumatic events.
- Spectrum Health and Human Services has resources to help with mental health and addiction counseling. Services will be available at the Johnnie B. Wiley Pavilion at 1100 Jefferson Avenue for the next two weeks. They can be reached at 716-710-5172.
- The American Red Cross, BFNC, Endeavor Health and Crisis Services are also available at the Pavilion from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily.
- OLV Human Services Outpatient Clinic, 790 Ridge Road in Lackawanna, are offering their services for those in need.
For those in need of food, it will be available from the Resource Center at 347 East Ferry in Buffalo from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until at least Friday, May 27.
Victims’ families have an access compensation program available from the Erie County District Attorney’s Office with the New York State Office of Victim Services. For more information, you can call (716) 858-2400.
West Herr announced that it will donate $300,000 for grief counseling and related expenses to those impacted by the shooting. West Herr says People Inc. will distribute the donation to families at Buffalo City Hall at a yet-to-be determined date.