Food Assistance

If your family is struggling to make ends meet, why should you make a choice between food and paying bills?

Erie County SNAP Benefits (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program)

https://www3.erie.gov/snap/apply

The Sweet Home BackPack Program provides a box of non-perishable food to Sweet Home families once a week while school is in session. To request a delivery, call the SHEF Back Pack Program at 716-250-1605.

Local Food Pantries

There are also food pantries that can provide ongoing food assistance for you and your family. A family can only register with one food pantry. Servicing the following area codes of 14221, 14226, 14228, 14150. 

  If you are unable to get to a food pantry, please call the Family Support Center at 716-250-1229. 

Call the numbers below to confirm when open and you’ll be informed of procedures which will be followed.   It may take a day or two before one receives a call back.  Speak slowly and clearly and leave your name and phone number if asked to leave a message.

Please note that families can only seek assistance from one pantry. Paperwork required to receive assistance (Picture ID, Proof of address, proof of income, birth certificates of all in household)

St. Leo The Great (14226 Zip code only)
St. Vincent DePaul Food Pantry Ministry
885 Sweet Home Rd Amherst, NY 14226
(716) 800-8020

St. Christopher’s Outreach (14228/14150 Sweet Home area only)
530 Ellicott Creek Rd Tonawanda, NY 14150
(716) 564-9023
Food assistance only-clothing and household item closet closed
Monday & Thursday 9:00-1:00pm

New Beginnings Food Pantry (14228/14221 only)
100 Willow Ridge Dr Amherst, NY 14228  
716-691-9456
Tuesdays 6-7:45pm,  1ST, 2ND AND 4TH Friday 9-10;45am, Every 3rd Saturday 10:00am-11:45am

Town Square Food Pantry (14228/14221 and 14068 only)
2710 N. Forest Rd Amherst, 14068
716-391-2921
Tuesdays 9:30 AM to Noon, 12:30-2:30 PM; Fridays 9:30 AM to Noon, 12:30-2:30 PM

University Presbyterian Church  (14221, 14226, 14228  & UB zip codes 14260 & 14261)
3330 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14214
716-836-7660            
Tuesdays Noon to 4 PM, Thursdays Noon to 4 PM

Zion UCC (no zip code restrictions)
15 Koenig Rd Tonawanda, NY 14150
716-863-8368
Mondays from 11:00am -1:00pm