Community Action Organization of Western New York

Community Action Organization of Western New York The Community Action Organization of WNY was incorporated in 1965 and operates anti-poverty programs in Erie and Niagara counties.

Annually, CAO serves more than 50,000 families and individuals in WNY through various programs and services. Hope drives us through adversity, and the CAO of WNY provides that hope by helping low-income individuals, families, and communities access the resources they need to succeed. We strive to give our clients a sense of empowerment and self-responsibility so they can have a meaningful role in our society.

Yesterday, we wrapped up August with one more food giveaway at the Tri-Main Center!We couldn’t have asked for better wea...
08/29/2026

Yesterday, we wrapped up August with one more food giveaway at the Tri-Main Center!

We couldn’t have asked for better weather, so our team took advantage of the beautiful day and set up outside across the street to distribute food to members of the community.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by, and especially to the CAO staff who helped organize, set up, and make the giveaway possible. We’re always grateful for the opportunity to connect with our neighbors and help get food into the hands of families who can use it.

This was our final food giveaway of August, but we’re not done yet! Stay tuned! We’ll be sharing information about more upcoming food distributions soon.

In the meantime, enjoy a few photos from yesterday’s beautiful afternoon!

A big thank you to Chef Christopher Sinclair-McCalla for sharing his time and expertise with CAO of WNY’s Nutrition Staf...
08/28/2026

A big thank you to Chef Christopher Sinclair-McCalla for sharing his time and expertise with CAO of WNY’s Nutrition Staff last week at Ferry!

Originally from Kingston, Jamaica, Chef Chris brings a background in both culinary arts and nutrition to his work. Known as a “Health Fusion Chef,” he has built his career around creating flavorful food while promoting healthier approaches to cooking, and has also brought his talents to Buffalo’s culinary community.

During the training, Chef Chris worked with our Nutrition Staff on food preparation and presentation, demonstrating how to prepare eggplant parmesan and zucchini boats while sharing techniques our team can put into practice.

Thank you to Chef Chris for a great training, and to all of our Nutrition Staff who participated and continue working to strengthen their skills in service of the children and families we serve!

Last week, CAO of WNY’s Head Start team was out in the community connecting with families at two great events!Our staff ...
08/28/2026

Last week, CAO of WNY’s Head Start team was out in the community connecting with families at two great events!

Our staff joined the Beyond Connections Wellness Fair hosted by Gerard Place, as well as the Xcel Community Give Back hosted by the Erie County Restorative Justice Coalition and Renovation Church.

Thank you to our Head Start staff who represented CAO and shared resources with families, and to all of the organizers and partners who made these community events possible!

With August wrapping up and the school year right around the corner, now is a great time to learn more about CAO of WNY Head Start and Early Head Start. Our programs support children and families with early learning, development, health, and family resources.

Learn more and get started: caowny.org/head-start

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday at the Schiller Park Senior Center for our food giveaway! We had an...
08/27/2026

A huge thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday at the Schiller Park Senior Center for our food giveaway! We had an incredible turnout and were able to distribute every bag.

We’re especially grateful to the CAO of WNY staff who showed up, pitched in, and helped make the giveaway possible. Here are a few photos from a great day of serving our community!

And if you missed us, there’s another opportunity tomorrow:

📅 Friday, August 28
⏰ 12:00 PM
📍 CAO Access Center at the Tri-Main Center
2495 Main St., Suite 543, Buffalo, NY 14214

Food is available first come, first served, so we encourage you to arrive right at noon!

Thank you to our staff, neighbors, and community members for another fantastic turnout. 💚

Earlier this week, participants in CAO of WNY’s HOPE Program had an opportunity to slow down, recharge, and focus on the...
08/27/2026

Earlier this week, participants in CAO of WNY’s HOPE Program had an opportunity to slow down, recharge, and focus on their mental wellness during a special yoga and mindfulness session led by NYC-based instructor Aaron Sakhai.

Aaron guided the group through accessible practices designed to reduce stress, release tension, restore balance, and help participants feel more focused and energized. His approach includes short in-office yoga sessions, body tapping, Qi Gong, and other wellness practices that can be adapted for people of all experience levels.

A big thank you to Aaron for spending time with our HOPE participants and sharing practical tools they can continue using beyond the session!

Interested in learning more about Aaron’s wellness services?

📧 [email protected]
📞 516-491-7149
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aaron-sakhai

We’re grateful for opportunities like this that support the whole person as HOPE participants continue working toward their goals.

CAO of WNY is now accepting bids from qualified contractors for multiple home improvement projects through our Home Repa...
08/26/2026

CAO of WNY is now accepting bids from qualified contractors for multiple home improvement projects through our Home Repair Program.

Current bid opportunities, project specifications, walkthrough requirements, deadlines, and submission instructions are available online and will be updated as new projects become available.

Current bid deadline: September 8, 2026 at 3:00 PM

View current opportunities:
https://www.caowny.org/bidopportunities

Questions? Contact [email protected]

Please share with contractors and businesses who may be interested.

🥬 Fresh produce is coming to the CAO Access Center this Friday!CAO of WNY will be distributing free pre-made produce bag...
08/26/2026

🥬 Fresh produce is coming to the CAO Access Center this Friday!

CAO of WNY will be distributing free pre-made produce bags for one hour while supplies last.

📅 Friday, August 28
⏰ 12–1 PM
📍 CAO Access Center at Tri-Main Center
2495 Main St., Suite 543, Buffalo, NY 14214

First come, first served. The giveaway will be held outdoors, weather permitting.

Spread the word!

Looking for career opportunities or getting ready for the new school year? Check out this free community event happening...
08/25/2026

Looking for career opportunities or getting ready for the new school year? Check out this free community event happening this Saturday!

Strong Futures, Stronger Buffalo will bring together local employers, unions, and community organizations for a Job Fair, along with a Back-to-School Haircut Event for local students.

📅 Saturday, August 29
⏰ 9:00 AM–5:00 PM
📍 East High School, 820 Northampton Street, Buffalo, NY 14208

The Job Fair will feature opportunities in construction, building trades, healthcare, public service, and more, including apprenticeships, training programs, benefits, and career advancement.

Students can also receive free back-to-school haircuts, with bookbags and school supplies available while supplies last.

Please share with anyone who could benefit from this great community opportunity!

Last week, CAO of WNY was proud to join Towne Gardens Apartments for their Back to School National Night Out!Our team wa...
08/25/2026

Last week, CAO of WNY was proud to join Towne Gardens Apartments for their Back to School National Night Out!

Our team was on-site distributing fresh produce bags while families also had access to bookbags, hot dinners, community resources, and more. It was a great evening of neighbors coming together and making sure families had what they needed heading into the new school year.

Thank you to Towne Gardens Apartments for welcoming CAO and allowing us to be part of such a valuable community event.

And a special thank you to the CAO staff who showed up, helped run our stand, and made our participation possible. We’re grateful for everything you do to serve our community!

Take a look at a few photos from the event.

We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Marie Cannon, President & CEO of CAO of WNY, whose placement was recently announced among B...
08/24/2026

We’re proud to celebrate Dr. Marie Cannon, President & CEO of CAO of WNY, whose placement was recently announced among Buffalo Business First’s Power 200 Women — recognizing some of Western New York’s most influential and accomplished leaders.

This well-deserved recognition reflects Dr. Cannon’s leadership, vision, and continued commitment to strengthening CAO of WNY and the communities we serve.

Thank you, Dr. Cannon, for leading with purpose and helping move our organization forward. We’re proud to see your work recognized among so many outstanding leaders across Western New York!

Address

45 Jewett Avenue
Buffalo, NY
14214

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17168815150

Website

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