Catholic Charities of Buffalo is here to help as always, and the human service organization that serves the eight counties of Western New York is continuing to help those most in need with the most essential services, especially during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Here are some ways we are helping our neighbors:

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services and Counseling — Our Erie and Niagara County Monsignor Carr Institute Clinics continue to provide mental health counseling via teletherapy to current and new clients, as well as our substance abuse services in Erie County. Our intake department staff are ready to help new clients access our services at 716-895-1033.

In addition, our counselors in Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties are available similarly. Please call those respective offices. You can find the numbers at ccwny.org/counseling. Please reach out for help if needed.

Basic Emergency Assistance

Food Pantries — Our nine food pantries (Allegany, Erie, Cattaraugus) are open. Each pantry may serve our community differently such as meeting participants at the front door, or in our waiting area, or even at participants’ vehicles, but we are here to help. Here are our food pantry locations, days and hours: ccwny.org/food.

Basic Assistance Sites — Our basic emergency assistance locations in the eight counties remain open, including 525 Washington St., Buffalo, but please call ahead to make an appointment if possible. For other locations and phone numbers, go to: ccwny.org/emergency–assistance.

“It is critical that Catholic Charities — always known as a place to turn when there seems no hope — remains front and center helping some of our most vulnerable neighbors the way we always have,” said Deacon Steve Schumer, Catholic Charities president and chief executive officer. “In addition to counseling, substance abuse and basic assistance services, as many of our direct caregivers as possible are checking in on their clients by phone to ensure their well-being and safety.”

Catholic Charities is committed to keeping its clients, volunteers and employees safe, following the recommendations from the CDC, state and local authorities. Although Catholic Charities falls under the guidelines for an essential business per Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s most recent Executive Order regarding 100% workforce reduction, as many agency employees as possible are and will be working from home. All health and safety protocols, including increased sanitizing measures at all sites, also are being maintained.

Other updates and changes to our programs and services:

¯ ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE: Montante Administrative Center, 741 Delaware Ave., Buffalo is closed to visitors.

¯ A GATHERING PLACE (senior adult day program): Closed.

¯ APPEAL 2020: Where possible, parishes may mail donations to our office, 741 Delaware Ave., Buffalo, NY 14209, Attn.: Appeal Department. Also, our staff are working remotely and returning office calls daily. For any questions or concerns, call Clara Moran at 716-713-4410. Thank you!

¯ FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM: Canceled through April 17.

¯ IMMIGRATION AND REFUGEE ASSISTANCE: Clients will be seen by appointment only. There are no walk-in hours. To schedule an appointment, please call 716-842-0270 during business hours, M-F 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

¯ NUTRITION~SIMPLY SAID CLASSES: Canceled.

¯ THRIFT STORES: Wellsville Outreach Thrift Store (67 E. Pearl St., Wellsville) and Lots of Clothes Thrift Store (1122 Broadway, Buffalo) are closed. While closed to the public, our Lots of Clothes Thrift Store staff is processing clothing and Fresh Start package referrals, and taking donations at the door.

¯ VISITOR PROGRAMS: Three programs (Home Visitation in Genesee and Orleans counties, St. Mary of the Lourdes Spiritual Life and Wyoming County Outreach) which provide in-person visits to older adults either in the home, hospital or nursing home are suspended. Where possible, volunteers are checking in with participants.

¯ WIC (Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties): Offices are closed but service continues. WIC Staff will contact participants by phone regarding benefits and Nutrition Education services. For questions, please call 218-1484. Here’s an update from the Director, Judette Dahleiden.

¯ WORKFORCE and EDUCATION SERVICES: Sites are closed. Classes are available online via email or through distance learning (DL). Hard-copy packets for accessing the DL system have been mailed or were delivered to current students. Students who did not receive packets can access the information by visiting ccwny.org/TASC. To enroll in online or DL programming, go to ccwny.org/TASC.

Our homepage at ccwny.org and our social media channels (facebook.com/ccbuffalo , twitter.com/ccbuffalo and instagram.com/catholiccharities) will contain the latest updates.