BUFFALO, NY (Tuesday, October 17) – This morning, local elected representatives joined executives from West Side Community Services to officially open the organization’s new food pantry location at the corner of Breckenridge and Niagara Streets. Providing remarks were WSCS Executive Director Crystal Selk, NYS Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera, NYS Senator Sean Ryan, City of Buffalo Deputy Mayor Rashied H. McDuffie, Buffalo Common Council Member David A. Rivera, and Samir Spencer, District Director for Erie County Legislator April Baskin.

Since August 2021, Provisions 139 has been serving hundreds of West Side families through its market-style, customer-choice pantry. When the building that originally housed Provisions 139 went up for sale over the summer, Executive Director Crystal Selk immediately started looking for a new home for the pantry.

“We didn’t know what would happen when the building sold, but we were already outgrowing the space anyway,” she explains. “We were struggling with storage capacity, as well as the fact that the building had only one person-sized entrance with steps. It wasn’t practical to load in thousands of pounds of food by hand every other week since we couldn’t bring in pallets, and the stairs made it inaccessible for our neighbors who have mobility issues.”

Luckily, the organization found a new, much larger space on Niagara Street and made the move at the end of July. The new building is 1,800 square feet, compared to only 800 square feet at the previous building.

“Our new location is on a major bus route, features a flat entrance with two wide garage doors, and is just all-around better suited to our needs. We are more efficiently and comfortably serving about 1,300 individuals each month here,” says Selk.

Around the same time as the move, New York State Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera contributed $10,000 for pantry operations.

“With its new, expanded location on Niagara Street, West Side Community Services and Provisions 139 will be able to greatly increase their already tremendous support toward food security within our city,” Assemblymember Rivera says. “Not only will the new location be able to enhance storage capacity, but it’s located on a major bus route, which will allow the organization to meet residents where they are in order to best serve them. I’m proud to have been able to secure $10,000 for pantry operations, and I look forward to continuing to support Provisions 139’s mission to strengthen food security throughout Western New York.”

“We are incredibly grateful for Assemblymember Rivera’s continued support for the pantry,” says Selk. “Every bit of aid, from large grants to donations from someone’s kitchen cupboard, helps ensure our West Side neighbors have nutritious food to eat.”

In addition to the financial support from the Assemblymember, the pantry has also received a major increase in funding through the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Nourish New York program and the Hunger Prevention and Nutrition Assistance Program.

With these increases, Provisions 139 is able to consistently source locally grown produce year-round, thereby improving neighborhood food security and supporting Western New York farmers at the same time.

NYS Senator Sean Ryan says, “”West Side Community Services has been an essential part of Buffalo’s West Side for nearly 50 years, and I am proud to support the work they do every day. Since it first opened two years ago, Provisions 139 has provided hundreds of families with reliable access to healthy food. Expanding the pantry into its new location on Niagara Street will help the team at West Side Community Services expand its reach and ensure that it is accessible to more members of the community.”

Buffalo Common Council Member David A. Rivera says, “I recall when West Side Community Services first approached me with their vision to run a pantry that served their neighbors but didn’t feel like a pantry. In 2021, when their vision came to fruition, I didn’t think I could be more pleased with the work they had done. Their expansion is a testament to their commitment to serving the community; not just in their own neighborhood, but throughout the West Side!”

Erie County Legislator April Baskin says, “West Side Community Services has been a staple in the Niagara District for 45 years. Their mission has always been to serve and to provide support for community members during difficult times. The opening of this food pantry is another example of their dedication to the community and our most vulnerable residents.”

About West Side Community Services

West Side Community Services fosters the stability, security, and well-being of our vibrant and dynamic community by engaging, connecting, and supporting its residents. WSCS offers youth programs, programs for older adults, and operates Provisions 139, a market-style food pantry.

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Photo files are named for the person pictured, except for:

Ribbon-cutting 1 and 2 (L to R): NYS Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera, Buffalo Common Council Member David A. Rivera, City of Buffalo Deputy Director Rashied H. McDuffie, Provisions 139 volunteer and West Side Community Services emeritus board member Betsy Murphy, WSCS Executive Director Crystal Selk, NYS Senator Sean M. Ryan, Samir Spencer (District Director for Erie County Legislator April Baskin)

Group photo: NYS Assemblymember Jon D. Rivera, Buffalo Common Council Member David A. Rivera, City of Buffalo Deputy Director Rashied H. McDuffie, WSCS Executive Director Crystal Selk, NYS Senator Sean M. Ryan, Samir Spencer (District Director for Erie County Legislator April Baskin)