With Deepest Sorrow: The Passing of Amy Betros,
Co-Founder of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy
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As we continue to mourn our beloved director, mom, grandma, and friend, Amy Betros, we want to take this opportunity to express our gratitude to all of you who extended your condolences, prayed for us, and offered your assistance as we navigate through these difficult days.
At this time, we want to assure you that we will continue on the path forward that Amy and Norm Paolini set forth for us. The spirit that animated Amy and Norm – expressed in the mission of St. Luke’s – remains firmly in place and it will continue to guide our every decision and action. The greatest way to honor Amy’s memory is to carry forward her work : to love, to serve and to show mercy. Rest assured St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy will continue in its quest to assist the underserved in our community. Many of you have asked how you can help us as we go forward. First and foremost, we appreciate your prayers for the repose of the soul of Amy Betros. We ask that you pray for the continued success of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. Your support both spiritually and financially will aid us as we continue to carry out the corporal and spiritual works of mercy. For those of you who wish to help St. Luke’s in other ways we will post specific needs on our website- www.stlukesmissionofmercy.org. Together we will work towards the continued success of St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy. May God abundantly bless each and every one of you. Dennis Gilhooley, Interim Director Jean Marinaro, Missionary Charlene Mallory, Missionary David Topor, Missionary Susan Gilhooley, Missionary Andrew Bernstein, Missionary Sandra Bernstein, Missionary Joann Heimiller, Missionary Jose Cruz, Missionary |
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Addictions and How to Recover From Them
A presentation by Dr Paul F Updike, MD
Addiction Specialist with Catholic Health.
Sunday May 18, 2025 @ 12 noon
at St Luke's Mission in the Church building
Addiction Specialist with Catholic Health.
Sunday May 18, 2025 @ 12 noon
at St Luke's Mission in the Church building
Remember those in the cold
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Please help those who need help during the winter. St. Luke's is an original Code Blue partner and sends 100 meals per day to Code Blue in addition to providing clothing and shelter to those who come for help.
You can help too! Donate and drop off warm clothing at 325 Walden Ave Monday-Saturday 9am-4pm. |
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You made the holidays beautiful
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Thank you to all who made the Holiday Food Basket program a success! Here's a snapshot
2,000 families received food baskets – either chicken or turkey, fresh produce and fixing for Thanksgiving dinner along with food for 6 meals Thank you to those who provided turkeys! 150 turkeys from West Herr 200 turkeys from food bank 100 from a private company 100 from a friend of St. Luke’s 100 halal turkeys 1,800 families received food baskets – fixings for Christmas dinner and food for 6 other meals 350 people ate thanksgiving dinner at the mission kitchen 450 people ate Christmas dinner at the mission kitchen 75 families received gifts Delivered gifts to 100 adults, 85 teens 614 families for toys signed up for toys and 2,000 children received toys 500 toiletry gift bags distributed to people who came for Christmas dinner (some take home to shut ins) WNY Foundation truck was critical! It picked up 400 produce boxes and turkeys, desserts, and made deliveries too! |
Toiletry Needs
Although the seasons have changed our need for supplies, especially toiletries, has not..
We are in need of:
We are in need of:
- Deodorant
- Shampoo
- Body wash
- Toothbrushes & Toothpaste
- Shavers
- Feminine Products
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Build Promise Project breaks ground at Buffalo site
24,000 square foot building to add shelter and healthcare services to St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy Campus
BUFFALO, NY – A project in the works for five years will be moving ever closer to fruition with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 2, 2024 at 1 PM.
Build Promise, the initiative proposed by St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy co-founder Amy Betros in 2019, is launching the start of construction at 1297 Sycamore Street, across the street from Betros’ sprawling campus.
“We have been serving the needs of our Buffalo community for thirty years but felt the void in taking care of homeless men, so this is the answer to that dilemma,” stated Betros, who formed the steering committee to fundraise and plan Build Promise with Kathleen Mattar.
Mattar and her husband, William, gave the initial donation that jump-started the project. “We enlisted a terrific group of community stakeholders that reached out to their families and friends, and we are thrilled to begin the building phase,” explained Ms. Mattar.
Stuart Harper is president of Build Promise. He was most recently the head of the Buffalo City Mission and joined Build Promise in 2022.
“I am a builder by nature and so, when I saw what Amy Betros had envisioned, I jumped at the chance to pilot this critically needed community services facility,” stated Harper.
The building will include:
There will be collaboration with key established community providers within the Build Promise facility which include Jericho Road, BestSelf Behavioral Services, OLV Human Services, Evergreen Health, Feedmore WNY, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health Advocates of WNY, The Restoration Society, & Neighborhood Legal Services
Resources on-site will include:
Build Promise wishes to thank all of the donors that are making this day possible, especially the generosity of Jane Greene and Family in memory of William H. Greene III, who got onboard this nascent project and propelled it to reality. Major donors include:
Significant in-kind donations from:
Donations for Build Promise are still needed for the facility’s completion, sustainability, and staffing. To donate, visit www.BuildPromise.com/donate or make checks payable to Build Promise and mail to: Build Promise, Inc., P.O. Box 1136, Buffalo, NY 14215. Build Promise is a 501(c)3 not for profit.
BUFFALO, NY – A project in the works for five years will be moving ever closer to fruition with a groundbreaking ceremony on May 2, 2024 at 1 PM.
Build Promise, the initiative proposed by St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy co-founder Amy Betros in 2019, is launching the start of construction at 1297 Sycamore Street, across the street from Betros’ sprawling campus.
“We have been serving the needs of our Buffalo community for thirty years but felt the void in taking care of homeless men, so this is the answer to that dilemma,” stated Betros, who formed the steering committee to fundraise and plan Build Promise with Kathleen Mattar.
Mattar and her husband, William, gave the initial donation that jump-started the project. “We enlisted a terrific group of community stakeholders that reached out to their families and friends, and we are thrilled to begin the building phase,” explained Ms. Mattar.
Stuart Harper is president of Build Promise. He was most recently the head of the Buffalo City Mission and joined Build Promise in 2022.
“I am a builder by nature and so, when I saw what Amy Betros had envisioned, I jumped at the chance to pilot this critically needed community services facility,” stated Harper.
The building will include:
- 96 Semi-private shelter beds for homeless men
- 80 Code Blue beds
- Showers
- Laundry facilities
- Medical care offices
- Mental Health care offices
- Dental care offices
- Maternal Health offices
- Nutritional support services
- Haircutting services
There will be collaboration with key established community providers within the Build Promise facility which include Jericho Road, BestSelf Behavioral Services, OLV Human Services, Evergreen Health, Feedmore WNY, US Department of Veterans Affairs, Mental Health Advocates of WNY, The Restoration Society, & Neighborhood Legal Services
Resources on-site will include:
- Job training
- Job placement
- Email access
- Family literacy
- Financial literacy
- Legal assistance
- Housing placement
- Transportation
Build Promise wishes to thank all of the donors that are making this day possible, especially the generosity of Jane Greene and Family in memory of William H. Greene III, who got onboard this nascent project and propelled it to reality. Major donors include:
- Jane Greene & Family in memory of William H. Greene
- John & Sarah Gibson
- M&T Bank
- Foundation 214, Inc.
- The Russell J. Salvatore Foundation
- The Frank L. Ciminelli Family Foundation
- The Swede Anderson Foundation
- William & Kathleen Mattar
- Baille Lumber
- The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation
- Lawrence & Elaine Mattar
- The John R. Oishei Foundation
- Mark Sieczkarek
- First Niagara Foundation
- Adele Kraus
- Anthony Nanula & Family
Significant in-kind donations from:
- Lehigh Construction Group
- Scheid Architectural
- Phillips Lytle, LLP
- Law Offices of William Mattar
Donations for Build Promise are still needed for the facility’s completion, sustainability, and staffing. To donate, visit www.BuildPromise.com/donate or make checks payable to Build Promise and mail to: Build Promise, Inc., P.O. Box 1136, Buffalo, NY 14215. Build Promise is a 501(c)3 not for profit.
Join with us to serve others
THANK YOU
for your support. Your gift helps us continue serving others.
We distribute more than 1,000 meals per day
Every day, the hungry come in search of food and kindness. Please help nourish people with food and touch them with love.
WHAT WE DO (The Works of Mercy)
Feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, shelter the homeless, clothe the naked, visit the sick, visit the imprisoned, bury the dead.
We need you, today!
Rising prices hurt everyone, but the poor suffer the most. The number of people coming for food and meals each day has increased. We now serve an average of 1,000 meals per day (Mon-Sat). As costs for food, kitchen supplies, utilities and fuel rise, it directly impacts our expenses at St. Luke's.
The crisis for shelter in pictures.
For every 10 homeless people, there's one shelter bed. St. Luke's, like the other shelters in Buffalo, is unable to take more people in. Sadly, people are trying to find places to rest around our campus. Don't look away. Join us in looking to help now and create sustainable solutions.
Get Involved!
Volunteers are a critical partner in ministering to the homeless and hurting in our community! If you are interested in volunteering, please check out the opportunities listed on this website. We hope you will find a great sense of satisfaction in partnering with St. Luke’s. Your gift also makes a difference! Consider donating to St. Luke's Mission of Mercy today. |
How can you help? 1. Donate today to feed those in most need. Click the donate button below. 2. Volunteer. Consider volunteering in the Kitchen or Mission Mall during the week from 10am-2pm. Saturdays are currently popular and there's a need at other times. Volunteers, please call Karen Garigen at 716-625-6174. God bless! |
Latest happenings in and around St. Luke's!
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Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. May God bless you always! |
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Follow us on Instagram and Facebook!
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Latest News
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Community volunteers groups make a big difference! Employee work days from places like M&T bank, Lawley Insurance, National Grid and others come to lend a hand in feeding the hungry!
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We are so thankful to corporations who run drives. They give their employees and customers a chance to donate. Donations of diapers and baby formula to our baby room, food for the pantry, school supplies, and so much more! We appreciate your kindness and generosity. ♥️
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Here's an idea! Buffalo Black Nurses Association picked a theme and collected hygiene items for women.
What can you do?
What can you do?
