The evolution of Buffalo CarShare to has been made possible largely due to investment from both individual members and community organizations. The launch of our recent “hubs” and others have been made possible thanks to forward-thinking institutions, non-profits and local business owners. We hope that, being strengthened by this community, we can grow to become a service that is affordable and accessible to all buffalonians. Here is the story of these collaborations:
Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church – Elmwood and Lafayette
Thanks to the vision of Rev. Drew Ludwig and others at the Church, residents of the Elmwood Village now have access to a hybrid Toyota Prius just down the street. The Church has contributed a parking space, and the service fits into a larger theme of breathing new life into an old structure.
Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus (BNMC) – Washington Street
The BNMC, a non-profit institution has continued to accommodate CarShare as it grows. The hub behind the Allen-Medical NFTA station is provided by the BNMC and now features a Ford F-150 truck and a Mazda5 minivan. The truck was donated by the Community Foundation, and serves several non-profit organizations including the Massachusetts Avenue Project, Grassroots Gardens, Buffalo ReUse, and the YWCA. Our hope is that the new minivan will be useful to these agencies as well.
Quaker Bonnet Bakery – Chenango and Rhode Island
Having already hosted one of our hubs (at their Eatery on Allen), Quaker Bonnet was happy to accommodate a second hub for us on the West Side. The bakery and restaurant, dating back to 1932, are a great example of what a local business can provide for a community.
Canisius College – Delavan and Jefferson
When approached by us this spring about hosting a CarShare hub, Canisius staff immediately took hold of the concept and recognized our potential to serve both the campus and surrounding community. Having provided us parking adjacent to the Delavan NFTA station, our hope is that this hub will be used by students, faculty, and staff as well as Hamlin Park residents and NFTA riders along the Delavan line.
Massachusetts Avenue Project – Grant St. Neighborhood Center
Having launched service at the former Grant St. library last fall, the hub really became viable this spring with the help of the Mass. Ave. Project, who uses the service to support their Mobile Market program, which brings fresh produce to neighborhoods around the city that lack access to healthy food. The Mass. Ave. Project also has utilized the truck to help build their new greenhouse.
Our growth and success is truly tied to investments like this, where community members recognize that by working with Buffalo CarShare they can stretch budgets farther, encourage healthy transportation choices, and broaden the reach of the resources we all share.
To us, every new vehicle represents an opportunity to collaborate. Our door is always open, so please reach out if you think there’s an opportunity to work together.
-- Check out our latest hub locations and vehicle additions here --
