Catholic Charities of Buffalo

10/19/2026

Please join us in congratulating Elise Pogorzelski, LCSW, and Katie Jodush, LMHC-D, on their recent promotions!

Elise has been named senior clinical director, while Katie will serve as director of school-based services. Both bring years of experience and a strong commitment to supporting the individuals and families we serve.

We're excited to see them take on these new roles and continue making a difference across our agency and community!

Read more about their new roles and backgrounds in the link in the comments.

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10/17/2026

Our food pantries are busy, and we could use a few extra hands!

Catholic Charities has an immediate need for volunteers at our food pantries throughout Western New York, especially those who can help unload food deliveries and keep our shelves stocked for the neighbors who count on us.

The good news? Volunteering is flexible! Whether you have a few hours to spare each week or can help out a couple of times a month, we'll work with your schedule.

Interested in helping? We've included the locations and shift times so you can find what works best for you! To get started, email [email protected].

Please note: All volunteers must complete two background checks, onboarding and training. A Social Security number is required.

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10/15/2026

You are cordially invited! Join us for Catholic Charities of Buffalo’s inaugural Spirit of St. Nicholas Christmas Gala, presented by OneBridge Benefits!

Taking place on Sunday, Nov. 29, at Salvatore’s Hospitality, the evening will celebrate generosity, compassion, and charity, bringing together friends new and old who make our mission possible across Western New York.

The event will honor Robert Bennett and Kathleen Roseti, and feature light classical and holiday favorites for string quartet, performed by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Tickets are now available, and sponsorship opportunities remain open. To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorships, visit ccwny.org/christmas-gala ✨

We can’t wait to celebrate with you in the generous spirit of St. Nicholas!

Salvatore’s Hospitality 6461 Transit Road, Depew, New York 5:00PM – 9:00PM (4:00PM VIP Cocktail Hour • 5:00PM General Admission Cocktail Hour) Holiday Formal Attire

10/14/2026

Tony DeSimone, our president & CEO, Molly Oliver, our chief operating officer, and Julie Lulek, senior director Nutritional Health, are spending time this week in Richmond, Virginia, to connect with other leaders from across the Catholic Charities' network at the 2026 Catholic Charities USA Annual Gathering!

This year’s theme, The Bridges We Build, touches on the importance of building connections with the people and communities we serve.

Molly shared, "Two powerful takeaways for me so far included the true meaning of philanthropy - philanthrōpía - which means ‘love of humankind’ from Dr. Meghan Sullivan from the University of Notre Dame’s Institute for Ethics and the Common Good. This simple and profound reminder really speaks to the heart of our mission at Catholic Charities. We each have a responsibility to take care of one another because we are called to love one another.

The second key takeaway was a deep reflection on our physical communities. Dr. Seth Kaplan, of Johns Hopkins, argued that our nation's biggest crisis is our social health and network disparity between neighborhoods. The conclusion? Place matters. True transformation means creating flourishing neighborhoods for all. This fuels our agency’s Every Ecosystem initiative as we work toward connecting every neighbor.

We are leaving these sessions inspired and ready to bring these ideas to life in our communities back home.”

Pictured L-R: Julie Lulek; Kerry Alys Robinson, president & CEO of Catholic Charities USA; Molly Oliver; and Tony DeSimone.

10/12/2026

Please note that we are closed today, Monday, Oct. 12, in observance of Indigenous Peoples' Day/Columbus Day.

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day, so here’s a small ask: check in on your people.

A quick, “How’s it going?” can open the door to a conversation someone may have been needing.

Taking care of your mental health can start long before a crisis. In our latest blog, we’re looking at why those everyday check-ins matter, what support can look like and how simply feeling heard can make a difference.

Read More Here: https://bit.ly/3VsxMnb

10/09/2026

PLEASE NOTE:

Our Erie County District Office at 525 Washington St. will be open by appointment only next week October 13-16.

Incoming calls will continue to be answered, and voicemails will be returned in the order they are received.

We appreciate your patience and understanding.

10/09/2026

We want to extend a huge congratulations to Anna Ard-Sledge, our care coordinator in Olean, and kinship caregiver Maggie Langan, as recipients of the 2026 CURA Award for Outstanding Kinship Caregiver!

This award was recently presented to Anna and Maggie during New York State’s annual Kinship Care celebration in Syracuse. The CURA Awards recognize caregivers and professionals whose work supports children and families across the state.
Kinship caregivers are relatives or close family friends who take on the responsibility of raising a child when a parent is unable to do so, making sure children have a safe and stable place to call home.

We’re so proud to celebrate Anna for the care she brings to the people around her, both at home and through her work at Catholic Charities, and Maggie for her dedication to making sure children feel loved and secure during difficult times.
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10/08/2026

PLEASE NOTE: Ladies of Charity Lots of Clothes thrift store, 1122 Broadway, Buffalo, will be closed today, Thursday, Oct. 8. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation!
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10/06/2026

Catholic Charities of Buffalo is pleased to announce the inaugural Spirit of St. Nicholas Christmas Gala, taking place Sunday, Nov. 29 at Salvatore’s Hospitality.

Held on the first Sunday of Advent, the evening will celebrate faith, generosity and service while bringing together friends and supporters from across Western New York. The gala will honor Kathleen Roseti and Robert Bennett, with Eugene and Pia O’Connor serving as honorary co-hosts.

We are also proud to welcome OneBridge Benefits as a Presenting Sponsor of this special evening.

“We are so excited to present our inaugural Spirit of St. Nicholas Gala to the community. Rooted in the generosity, service, and profound acts of charity that St. Nicholas represents, the gala is a milestone event for Catholic Charities, one that we hope becomes a hallmark of the Christmas season,” said Tony DeSimone, president and CEO of Catholic Charities of Buffalo.

Tickets are now available, and sponsorship opportunities remain open. To purchase tickets or learn more about sponsorships, click the link in the comments.

We look forward to gathering with our community for an evening that celebrates the spirit of St. Nicholas and the generosity that makes our mission possible.