BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN) - Refugee resettlement agencies in Buffalo are looking for additional assistance from the community ahead of the arrival of Afghanis who fled the Taliban-ruled country.
So far, the Buffalo United for Afghans campaign, which is a joint effort with Catholic Charities, Jericho Road, International Institute of Buffalo, Jewish Family Services, and Journey's End, has received more than $60,000 in individual contributions and over $200,000 in institutional pledges.
Up to 350 refugees will be coming to Buffalo starting later this week. They are expected to arrive in small, family-sized groups over the next several weeks. One they arrive, they will be housed in furnished apartments with the bare essentials, which is why more donations are sought for more specific items they may need.
"If you are somebody who is collecting household goods or other donated items, contact the agencies or contact through (https://www.wnyrac.org/) ," Karen Angelina Scott from Journey's End said. "We can set up a time to collect donated goods."
State Senator Sean Ryan said the biggest need is money and urged the community to donate the money equivalent of an item, that way the services will not be hampered by additional costs to store items.
