May 18, 2022 (New York, NY) – We mourn the tragic loss of life this past weekend caused by racially motivated hatred in Buffalo, New York, along with other terrible instances of gun violence in Laguna Woods, California; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; and Houston, Texas. These horrific events are a stark reminder that racism and gun violence remain public health crises and that mental health services need to be more widely available.

“The racial targeting and killing of innocent people in Buffalo, many of whom were older adults, is abhorrent, as were the awful deaths and injuries caused by recent mass shootings in other communities across the country,” said Terry Fulmer, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of The John A. Hartford Foundation. “We stand with the communities affected and remain committed to creating an equitable and just society where we can all age with dignity, respect and without fear of violence or hatred. We also must be mindful of those around us exhibiting behaviors that cause concern and make mental health and other services more readily accessible.”

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The tragedy in Buffalo occurred at the one major grocery store in a community classified as a food desert, and along with the tragic loss of ten innocent people, the closing of the grocery store has also left the community in need. The JAHF Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee gathered the following ways to help the victims' families and the community affected by this tragedy:

Feed More NY Buffalo Emergency Fund: FeedMore WNY is partnering with the Resource Council of WNY to distribute food donations to community members affected by the mass shooting at Tops Friendly Markets on Jefferson Avenue.

Victims Fund for Tops Buffalo NY Shooting: Funds will go to helping with victims' funeral expenses and helping those who need trauma counseling.

The families of the victims of the Buffalo shooting: All the funds raised will go to the victim's families to help with medical and funeral costs and help supplement the cost of lost wages.

Buffalo Memorial: This fundraiser will use its funds to help the families of those who died to pay for funeral expenses.

Buffalo Mass Shooting Help The Families Fund: All the funds collected will go directly to the victims' families as cash payments.

Buffalo Tragedy Donate to victims' families: Funds will be used to support the victims' families and help pay for funeral arrangements.