Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Community Benefits Agreement Oversight Committee is asking residents to fill in the gaps on what needs to be done in Western New York with the $3 million the Buffalo Bills are giving them annually.
At Tuesday's Community Benefits Oversight Committee (CBOC), the board shared the 2023 Fiscal Community Investment Report, which spanned from April 1, 2023 to March 31 2024.
In the community benefits agreement, the Bills organization is required to invest a minimum of $3 million during this period. Not only did they reach that goal, but they invested an additional $600,000 for a total of $3.6 million.
"As you have a very influential hand in deciding on the investments that will be made in this community, I implore you to keep housing and sheltering at the top of your list. The need for safe, dignified, affordable housing with wraparound services to ensure the stability of our residents has to be a priority, because it affects every part of a person's life and has ripple effects on our entire community," stated one resident.
Other residents called for additional youth programs and after-school activities to help keep them from falling down the wrong path.
"Our youth are in trouble for stealing cars, getting into fights, who are suspended from school. And the primary thing that we're hearing from the youth are 'we're suspended, we're bored, we're stealing cars, or we're fighting because they have nothing else to do.' So one of the things that we are advocating for is finding places for the kids to go instead of just being at home, reducing suspensions and building community," stated another resident.