When The News Neediest fund kicked off in 1982, there was an immediate need to help those in our community who could not afford holiday gifts for their children. Sadly, 30 years later we find ourselves being recognized as the third poorest city in the country with a high unemployment rate. It's no surprise that more than 12,000 families were helped by the WNY Holiday Partnership last year.

Please join The News and its many partners in making sure that no child in our community is forgotten during the holidays.

Consider making a cash donation to The News Neediest Fund. All donations go to purchasing holiday meals and gifts. Because of the efforts of local companies and agencies, every donated dollar goes back into the community.

If you're from this area, you know we are the City of Good Neighbors.

You may make a donation using PayPal by clicking on the Donate button above or send a check to The News Neediest c/o The Buffalo News, PO Box 2667, Buffalo, NY 14240-9873.

If you are purchasing gifts, we especially need help finding gifts for children ages 8-12. Here are some suggestions:

  • Advanced Legos
  • Arts and crafts kits
  • Athletic and sporting goods equipment
  • Board games
  • Books
  • Music CDs/CD Players
  • Gift certificates
  • Hand-held electronic games, iPods
  • Personal care/health and beauty items
  • Jewelry/hair accessories/watches
  • MP3 players/Movies/DVDs
  • Skateboards, rollerblades/scooters
  • Video games

Gifts of unwrapped toys will be accepted at the following locations:

The Buffalo News Lobby, Washington and Scott streets, downtown Buffalo
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday-Friday; 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (for directions, click here)
 
Wegmans - Toys only/All locations in Erie and Niagara counties, 24 hours daily
 
Shea's Performing Arts Centert box office - Monday-Friday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., show times through intermission until Dec. 15
 
Fairgrounds Annual Holiday Lights Festival, Hamburg, Friday-Sunday 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Nov. 25 through Dec. 15
 
HUNT Real Estate Corp.
LocationHours

Amherst Office
4363 Main St.
Amherst, N.Y. 14226
716-832-4838

Mon - Fri 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Sat 9:00AM - Noon
Sun 9:00AM - Noon

East Aurora Office
650 Main St.
East Aurora, N.Y. 14052
716-652-1234

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Hamburg Office
485 Sunset Drive
Hamburg, N.Y. 14075
716-648-2300

Mon - Fri 8:30AM - 5:00PM
Sat 9:30AM - 2:00PM
Sun 9:30AM - 12:30PM

Kenton Office
2835 Sheridan Drive
Tonawanda, N.Y. 14150
716-834-5400

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Lancaster Office
1765 Como Park Blvd.
Lancaster, N.Y. 14086
716-681-3900

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sat 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Sun 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Lewiston Office
475 Center Street
Lewiston, N.Y. 14092
716-754-4450

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Lockport Office
Ulrich City Centre
Suite 5
Lockport, N.Y. 14094
716-434-6266

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Metropolitan Office
720 Elmwood Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y. 14222
716-883-2200

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 4:00PM

Orchard Park Office
4283 S. Buffalo Road
Orchard Park, N.Y. 14127
716-662-9701

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 6:00PM
Sat 9:00AM - Noon

West Seneca Office
Southgate Plaza
Corner of Seneca & Union
1110 Union Road
West Seneca, N.Y. 14224
716-675-4868

Mon - Fri 8:00AM - 5:00PM
Sat 10:00AM - 2:00PM
Sun 10:00AM - 2:00PM

Wheatfield Office
3571 Niagara Falls Blvd #4
Wheatfield, N.Y. 14120
716-694-0400

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM
Sat 9:00AM - Noon
Sun 9:00AM - Noon

Williamsville/Clarence Office
8780 Sheridan Drive
Williamsville, N.Y. 14221
716-633-5350

Mon - Fri 8:30AM - 5:00PM

Williamsville/Village Office
5570 Main Street
1st Floor
Williamsville, N.Y. 14221
716-633-0300

Mon - Fri 9:00AM - 5:00PM

 
Dipson Theatres
LocationHours

Amherst Theatre
3500 Main St.
Amherst, N.Y. 14226
716-834-7655

Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM

Eastern Hills Cinema
4545 Transit Road
Williamsville, N.Y. 14221
716-632-1080

Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM

Flix Stadium 10
4901 Transit Road
Lancaster, N.Y. 14086
716-668-3549

Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM

Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre
639 Main St.
Buffalo, N.Y. 14203
716-855-3022

Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM

McKinley 6 Theatres
3701 McKinley Parkway
Buffalo, N.Y. 14219
716-824-3479

Mon - Sun 1:30 PM - 9:30PM

North Park Theatre
1428 Hertel Avenue
Buffalo, N.Y. 14216
716-836-7411

Mon - Fri 6:30 PM - 9:30PM

Sat & Sun 1:00 PM - 9:30PM

Niagara County and Niagara Falls
 
Cornerstone Community Credit Union

LocationsHours
6485 S. Transit Road Lockport, NY 14094Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
55 Stevens St. Lockport, NY 14094Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
5 State St. Middleport, NY 14105Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
107 Main St. N. Tonawanda, NY 14120Mon-Fri 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Wegmans on Military Road, Niagara Falls - 24hrs
 
Tops Friendly Markets in Lewiston, 9060 Center Street - 6AM - 10PM
 
Edward Jones - 738 Cayuga Street, Lewiston - 9AM - 5PM
 
Tin Pan Alley - 775 Cayuga Street, Lewiston - 9AM - 5PM
 
General Motors Components Holdings, LLC - 200 Upper Mountain Road, Lockport - 9AM - 5PM
 

If you need help for the holidays, please call 2-1-1 or 1(888) 696-9211 before Dec 8 to get application information.

 

All recipients of the News Neediest Fund will be duplicate checked by the WNY Holiday Partnership to assure that families are not served by more than one agency. The WNY Holiday Partnership is a collaboration between The United Way of Buffalo and Erie County, The United Way of Greater Niagara, The Niagara County Partnership, the Salvation Army, the Marine Corps Toys-for-Tots program, The Buffalo News Neediest Fund, 211 WNY - Olmsted Center for Sight, The Service Collaborative of WNY, Inc., Ladies of Charity/Catholic Charities, The Boys and Girls Club of the Northtowns, Town of Lancaster Youth Bureau, F.A.T.H.E.R.S., Response to Love Center, New Creation Fellowship, Hamburg Youth Bureau, Community Action Organization of Erie County, Expressway Assembly of God, Fellowship Hill Ministries, Olivencia Community Center, Resurection Lutheran church Food Pantry, True Bethel Charities and PUSH.

Distribution of holiday meals purchased through cash donations to the News Neeediest Fund will be coordinated through the Food Bank of WNY.

Thank you to our partners: The United Way, The Food Bank of WNY, Wegman's, Benderson Development, Fisher Price and National Fuel.