09/06/2026
Hello folks, I wanted to share something that is very important and concerning to me as a Buffalonian. Everyday I pass the city mission and Buffalo Public Library. It is very concerning the level of homeless folks we have surviving downtown. I spent the morning listening to their stories as I handed out fruit. It was very sad and depressing and as a society we need to do better. This homeless situation is dire as I listened to their stories.
One gentleman I met was Harold, Harold was kind enough to introduce me to the folks around the encampment at the city Library. I had a bushel of oranges today and everyone took a few as they explained their situation. Regardless of the situation these are human beings suffering and my heart broke listening to what led them to be on the streets.
What was more concerning was the women I met. I met one woman named Gail,her story was very different. She was homeless and a pr******te, she openly admitted she suffered from abuse by the Johns and had mental health issues. She was telling me that its very hard being homeless as a woman. Why? Well I asked and she said that often the shelters for women will become overcrowded and even during Code Blues she would be kicked out on to the streets. She noted how the City of Buffalo focused more on developing high end apartments while more and more women dont have a cot to sleep at night.
With winter coming she worries about where she will stay warm and be safe from the struggles of the street.
This was concerning as I handed out more than 50 Oranges to a crowd of people all hungry and malnourished. One gentleman in particular was so spent on substances and bloody from a recent physicalaltercation. I had to open the orange and place it in his hand.
Harold pointed out that many social services bring food for them. Often its thrown out because its not what they need. Harold said the City mission has failed many of them. And more social services are needed because many want to return to society and be productive in some form.
I am writing this not for praise but to raise awareness to what really is a national epidemic. We pride ourselves as the city of "Brotherly love and neighbors ". So its time to step up and do my part through the lens of the camera and donations of food and clothes. Vikingphotographybycj, will be giving back to a community that deserves more support and recognition. Through the lens of my camera and hopefully donated food and clothing we all can make a difference in these people's lives.
I will be opening up a new Facebook account and will be featuring the dark secrets of Buffalos homeless problem. I ask as my friends, clients and fellow Buffalonians to take notice and donate what you can.
I am working currently on securing a kitchen with the help of Buddhist monks to deliver high protein meals on the weekends. But I need help in the form of food, clothing and personal hygiene products for these folks. I will be sending out an invite to a new page and my goal is to feature a new person every week to bring attention to the suffering happening right in front of us.
I want to be crystal clear, this is not about personal opinions about one's life choices or political views. This is about being a good neighbor and caring for those who need it most.
Thank you and sorry for the long rant.
