Rev. Eric Johns, pastor of the Buffalo Dream Center, lived on the streets with Buffalo’s homeless for one week every year for twenty-five years. This year, his sons, Alex (22 years-old) and Nate (21 years-old) will be living on the streets of Buffalo from Monday, November 24 until Saturday, November 29. This will be their second year doing it without their father. They will sleep outside and in shelters. They will eat in soup kitchens and spend their days with the homeless. Their three cousins will also be with them, making the team a total of five people.
On Monday, November 24, they began their first day on the front lawn of the Buffalo Dream Center located at 286 Lafayette Ave., Buffalo, NY 14213.
The team’s five days with the homeless is an effort to draw attention to those less fortunate during the holiday season and to raise awareness about Boxes of Love, a Christmas campaign with a goal of giving food to 3,500 families this Christmas. The campaign will also distribute thousands of wrapped Christmas gifts to children in need. Boxes of Love began twenty-seven years ago and has become one of the largest holiday charities in the area. Last year nearly one thousand volunteers participated throughout the months of November and December as they wrapped gifts, packed food, and distributed everything throughout Western New York.
“Boxes of Love grows every year,” says Pastor Johns. “This year we will help more families than ever. I am excited that the effort will continue for many years to come as my children take the lead.”
With high food prices hitting families hard and the recent government shutdown, the Buffalo Dream Center assists more than 1,000 households each month through its mobile food pantry.
Pastor Eric’s sons will be spending the night outside somewhere near Exchange Street (Near 50 Exchange Street; across from the Amtrak station) or near the corner of Scott Street and Michigan Avenue.
Those desiring to help support or volunteer for the Buffalo Dream Center’s Boxes of Love program can go to www.buffalodreamcenter.org or call 716-854-1001. Those in need of toys and food can also visit the website to register their families.
