The Genesis Center Gala: Feeding South Buffalo with Faith and Hope
On a waning summer evening in early September, more than 135 friends and supporters gathered for the Genesis Center Gala to celebrate community, gratitude, and hope. Guests were inspired by three speakers, including the testimony of a dedicated volunteer, a longtime sponsor and CEO, and a keynote address that lifted up the history of the Genesis Center while honoring those who make its mission possible. The program also included a highlight moment: presenting an award to the Trustees of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation for their many years of generous support.
The evening raised nearly $4,000 through the silent auction, and with additional donations and sponsorships, the Genesis Center came close to reaching its $10,000 goal. Just as important, the Gala provided a moment for reflection on how far this ministry has come in just a decade—and how much more remains to be done.
From a Church Basement to a Community Anchor
The Genesis Center’s story began a little over 10 years ago in the basement of St. Simon’s Episcopal Church in South Buffalo. For years, a small food pantry provided groceries to neighborhood families in need. As the number of struggling families grew, Mark Henger, the Warden of St. Simon’s, used his gift of hospitality and cooking to begin serving Saturday hot lunches. What started as 40 meals quickly became 75 every week.
Recognizing the growing need, parishioners and friends—including Tom and Audrey Lunt—joined the effort. It became clear that the ministry had outgrown the church basement. The turning point came when St. Simon’s was able to purchase a dilapidated bar next door that was slated for demolition. With the Vestry’s blessing, the dream of a larger, permanent ministry space took shape.
A Foundation’s Vision and Partnership
Renovating the building required significant investment, and so a grant was written to the Trustees of the Margaret L. Wendt Foundation. Remarkably, the foundation embraced the vision and awarded $1.2 million, transforming the building into the Genesis Center as it stands today. Their support has continued for over a decade, totaling more than $1.5 million, ensuring that the ministry not only survived but thrived.
Thanks to this partnership, the Genesis Center has grown from serving 75 meals once a week to offering four hot meal days, feeding more than 800 people each week. Its food pantry, which once served 50 people weekly, now provides groceries to more than 1,000 people every month.
Faith in Action
The Genesis Center feeds the hungry in South Buffalo: the unhoused, veterans, the elderly, those battling addiction, single parents, and the working poor. What began with a handful of faithful parishioners has become a vital ministry of compassion and justice.
As FeedMore of Western New York reminds us, the Genesis Center is still a fledgling organization—just nine years into its work. But its foundation is strong, built on the faithful witness of a parish community, the support of partners like the Wendt Foundation, and the Gospel call to “feed my sheep.”
The Gala was more than a fundraiser—it was a celebration of a vision made real, and of a community continuing to answer God’s call to serve.