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Grab-and-Go Thanksgiving Feast at Matt Urban Hope Center

Join us next Wednesday, November 25 for a grab-and-go Thanksgiving Feast prepared by our Hope Center chef, Chris! Meals are free to the community and can be picked up from 2-5pm outside 385 Paderewski Drive. Masks are mandatory and social distancing measures will be in place. One member of a household can come pick  up on behalf of your family.

Happy Thanksgiving to our community!

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Cookies for a Cause To Benefit Matt Urban Center

We’re SO excited that Cookies for a Cause will still be taking place this year (in pandemic-safe fashion, of course), thanks to the determination of our event organizer, Rebecca Decker.

This year’s event has been reimagined as a cookie sale, with all proceeds benefitting the Matt Urban Center. Orders must be submitted by November 28. The online cookie order form can be found here: https://forms.gle/F3sMzXG1KmUKfgoH7

More information and updates can be found on the Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/648458776034419

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Kicking Off Our Fall Donation Drive!

Since many of our in-person volunteer opportunities have been placed on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we’re inviting our supporters to team up with their friends, family, and coworkers to participate in a drive to support our essential programs!
With the winter fast approaching, many of our programs serving homeless and low-income individuals and families are working to stock up on supplies needed to keep their clients clothed, warm and fed.
We’re also looking for school supplies for our Community Hub at the T.J. Dulski Center, which will provide daycare and academic support to working families whose children have to attend school remotely.
Please click here for a full list of our donation needs, as well as an option to make a monetary donation.
If you would like to coordinate a drop-off or pick-up, or would like more information, please contact Sarah Maurer, Development Director, at smaurer@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x232.
Thanks for your ongoing support for our agency and the clients we serve!
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Join Us For Trunk or Treat To-Go!

October is upon us, which means it’s almost time for our annual fall community event at the Buffalo Central Terminal! In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s event will be called “Trunk or Treat To-Go!” and will be a socially distanced walkthrough with procedures in place to ensure that our trick-or-treaters and their families are safe. We will provide bags of candy, take-home creativity kits, refreshments and pumpkins to-go!
Date: Wednesday, October 28 (Rain date: Friday, October 30)
Time: 4:00-6:00 p.m.
Location: Buffalo Central Terminal, 495 Paderewski Drive, Buffalo, NY 14212
*Masks are required to attend this event!*
We welcome volunteers to participate in the event by decorating their vehicles and passing out candy to trick-or-treaters. Those interested can contact Danyel Sease at dsease@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 x403 to register a car for the event.
We are accepting in-kind donations of candy, juice boxes, donut holes, pumpkins, art supplies, and bags for trick-or-treaters. Any donation, at any level, is greatly appreciated and will be publicly recognized. Click here for our sponsorship form.
For more information on the event, contact Sarah Maurer at smaurer@urbanctr.org or (716) 893-7222 ext. 232.
Keep an eye on our Facebook event page for more updates!
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Those Idiots Host VIP Dinner & Livestream Show to Raise Support for MUC

Local band Those Idiots will be hosting an event to benefit the Matt Urban Center! There will be an in-person, VIP Dinner with a limited number of reservations available. Those interested in joining from home can tune into the livestream via Facebook and make a donation through our website.
Date: Saturday, September 19
Time: VIP Dinner at 6:00 PM, Show & Livestream at 7:00PM
Location: The Cave, 71 Military Road, Buffalo
Suggested Donation: $25.00
All proceeds from the event will go to support our programs. Those interested in attending the VIP Dinner in person can contact Jay Hall at (716) 310-2020 to make a reservation. Click HERE to see the Facebook event page with more info.
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Hope Gardens End-of-Summer Luau

Last week, our Permanent Supportive Housing department held their first event at Hope Gardens since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March. Staff put up bright, colorful decorations and the residents enjoyed music, games, delicious BBQ chicken (specially made by Housing First Program Supervisor, Lonnie Patterson) and yummy sides – all while properly socially distancing. Many of the residents said it was the most fun they have had in a long time and that they really needed it. As things progress positively in this pandemic, we hope to gradually hold more in-house events. All of our Permanent Supportive Housing staff had a fun time as well!

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Virtual Sessions with Buffalo Animal Adventures

Our youth department is excited to share that they will be offering virtual enrichment sessions with Buffalo Animal Adventures every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:15 to 6:00 p.m.

Buffalo Animal Adventures is an outreach program that uses animal ambassadors to educate audiences on the importance of wildlife preservation and conservation.

To participate in the online sessions, click the link below:

https://call.lifesizecloud.com/2926398

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Permanent Supportive Housing Celebrates Black History Month

 

Our permanent supportive housing department recently celebrated Black History Month with an event at Hope Gardens! Clients and staff made decorations, sang, read poetry, played trivia, enjoyed a spoken word performance by Monique Murphy, and an African drums performance by Marvin Harris. Our Hope Gardens cook made an amazing traditional African soul food dinner, too!

 

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Black History Month Celebration

The Matt Urban Hope Center will host a Black History Month celebration event, featuring a cultural meal and a presentation with facts about famous African American men and women and their accomplishments. The event will take place on Thursday, February 20 from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Urban Diner at 385 Paderewski Drive. For more information, contact Cherise Carson at (716) 893-7222 x329 or ccarson@urbanctr.org.

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Re-Pack the Bag Community Resource Fair

Join the Matt Urban Center and BlueCross BlueShield of WNY for a community resource event featuring a variety of vendors and a backpack giveaway for youth. Event runs from 1:00-4:00 p.m. at the Matt Urban Hope Center, 385 Paderewski Drive. For more information, contact Cherise Carson at (716) 893-7222 x329 or ccarson@urbanctr.org.