Center that offers aid now needs help

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Response to Love Center on Kosciuszko Street prides itself in the support that it provides people. That mission is no different 365 days a year, especially on Thanksgiving Day.

According to Sister Mary Johnice, Executive Director of the Center, "Tomorrow we expect about 250 people to come for the festivity. It's a family affair and we invite anybody who wants to come. If you're by yourself, please come and join us."

Seven Buffalo Club members are joining about 90 other volunteers to carve 60 turkeys and prepare a Thanksgiving Day dinner for those less fortunate. But this year is a little different - the Response to Love Center is in need itself.

The organization just secured ownership of the their building last Friday and with wintry weather staring them in the face, they will not have heat.

Jack Bergmann of MJ Mechanical explained, "We have a major leak on the end section of the boiler and the boiler basically has to be replaced. The main problem is right down on the bottom of that cast iron section. There's a hole about the size of a pencil."

To make matters worse, there's an availability problem because of Hurricane Sandy.

"This time of year, boilers are hard to come by because there's long lead times. There's a lot of demand, especially with the hurricane in New York and New Jersey," added Bergmann.

So while Sister Johnice prays for a miracle so that the people that rely on the center  find warmth within its walls, she also has her work cut out for her in preparing that Thanksgiving Day feast.

"Let me tell you, working with lawyers and doctors is a challenge. I just tell the doctors it's like surgery, cut that turkey and the lawyers, I just say do your work," she joked.

The cost of the boiler is $50,000. The center is also a warming site for the Food Bank and serves 25,000 meals a year.

If you are able to contribute, donations can be mailed, delivered in-person or transferred through PayPal. The mailing address is Response to Love Center, 130 Kosciuszko Street, Buffalo, New York 14212. For additional information, the phone number is (716)891-5474.