Buffalo, NY (WBEN) The deadline to file an application for the 5/14 Survivors Fund is today. The next step is to vet the applicants and then determine how much of the funds will go into the five categories under the protocols.
The donation period ends at the conclusion of September, and Rev. Kinzer Pointer says that's when the next meeting will be held. "We will understand what is the final amount that there is to be distributed, and then we'll determine how it's distributed based on the five categories," says Pointer.
Pointer says the applications by then will have all been vetted. "Once that's determined that we have a cadre of people they meet the protocols, they're eligible, then we meet, we discover what the final amount is. And then we will divide it up into the five categories," says Pointer. He adds checks will be cut to those eligible once all the legal requirements are in place, and that's expected to be done before the end of October.
Pointer says the checks can be distributed electronically. "Checks will be drawn for people who just can't take in electronic payments. But we will disperse every penny of this fund to those persons who were deemed eligible as victims under the protocols," says Pointer.
Pointer says there are no restrictions on how recipients can use the money, calling this a gift. "When you give a gift, you can't tell people what to use it for. Unless of course you're going to direct the gift. There are no directed gifts in this respect," explains Pointer.
10 died and 3 were wounded in the May 14th shooting at Tops on Jefferson.
