Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Droves of people came out Monday on Jefferson Avenue to grieve, show their support and memorialize the ten who tragically lost their lives in the deadly mass shooting, including President Joe Biden, who landed in Buffalo early Monday morning.
The street was lined with a big assortment of flowers and doves with the names of the victims. Resources such as food and home goods were provided at no cost in support due to the "food desert" situation, especially no since their only grocery store is shut down. The World Central Kitchen, Salvation Army, The Outpour Project and The Bethesda World Harvest Church, alongside Buffalo Peacemakers, were handing out bottles of water and food.
You could see a sign from Buffalo's Outpour Project saying, 'Free Food. You are loved.'
BUFFALO N.Y. - The Buffalo Peacemakers and The Bethesda World Harvest International Church providing food and home goods just off Jefferson Avenue.Max Faery, WBEN
Shanta Dunn, a resident of the Fruit Belt and a former employee of the Jefferson Tops reflected, a tear rolling down her cheek, on the time the store first opened, "The store opened twenty years ago and it was just a joyous moment. We didn't have a supermarket in a black community for our elderly to get some groceries so it was really a special occasion to have this Topsfor the elderly and for this community period. It's just sad that we can't even shop. We can't go about our own business."
There were some mixed feelings in the community about Biden's arrival to Buffalo, "I'm happy Biden came," says Dunn. "There's really no need for hate. I just really want him to spread that. We love everybody, we're all from the same place. It's just hard to understand people really still have that much hate in their heart. We just want peace, equality, things we've been searching for for years."
"I think what he [Biden] should do is pay more attention to this country, especially this city. We need to revitalize this city and give the proper financial support that it needs," said local resident and patron of the Tops, Manuel Childs. "It's just a sad time. It took a tragic event like this to recognize Buffalo. Buffalo is a good city. This Tops was the cornerstone of the community. I don't know what they should do."
Being a frequent patron, Childs describes that it's difficult to even look at the building knowing that he could have been one the victims, "You know, it's hard for me to even walk over there, because I know that I could have been one of them people. You know, I knew I could have been one."
