🌱 $500,000 Awarded + Reduced Library Hours + Primark Opening

Hey, friends! It's Wednesday in Buffalo and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll read about these stories and more...

• Reduced library hours
• Chrusciki Bakery reopens
• Today's event options

But first, today's weather:

Partly sunny. High: 37. Low: 32.

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Here are the top five stories in Buffalo today:

1. An outreach program ran by the Buffalo Federation of Neighborhood Centers has been granted $500,000 to help connect east side residents with resources such as, SNAP, HEAP, Medicaid and more. The money was awarded by Governor Kathy Hochul, who commented, "As we continue to help the East Buffalo community recover from the horrific May 14 attack, we remain committed to addressing systemic inequities that have left many of its residents behind for decades." (WKBW 7)
2. The Erie County Central Library in downtown Buffalo is reducing hours in response to a pattern of physical and verbal altercations occurring between teenagers in the library after school hours. The library is taking the short period of reduced hours to work on a contract with the WNY Peacemakers to "engage [the teenagers] and bring them in, interest them in mentors," as WNY Peacemakers coordinator Pastor James Giles worded it. The goal is not to push away those getting into altercations, but rather to provide them with safe redirection. (WIVB 4)
3. The international clothing store, Primark, is opening in the Walden Galleria Mall next month. The storefront will be 34,000 square feet and open on April 20. (WGRZ 2)
4. The USPS will host a job fair today in Lockport. They are hiring immediately for Mail Handler Assistants, City Carrier Assistants, Rural Carrier Associates, and more. The job fair will occur from 11:00 AM until 4:00 PM at 138 East Avenue. (WKBW 7)
5. To the delight of many, Chrusciki Bakery will reopen at the Broadway Market in time for Easter this year. The baker closed due to COVID related causes in 2020, but is excited to reopen near the market's meat section for the season. (WIVB 4)

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Today in Buffalo:

• Literacy NY Buffalo-Niagara Work Experience Program! Central Library, 9:00 AM
• Bank on Buffalo Bank on Wheels - City of Buffalo Special Events! Peter Machnica Community Center Parking Lot, 9:00 AM
• “Happy Hour History” Program Series! Buffalo History Museum, 6:00 PM
• Screen Printing Basics Workshop! WNY Book Arts Center, 6:00 PM
• Make your own Magic – The Art of Incense Blending! Alchemy Wine & Bar, 6:30 PM

From my notebook:

• Dog for Adoption: "This handsome chap is Chappie! He is an BIG guy that requires some specific qualities in his forever home." (City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Tiger in the Snow: "Zhanna doesn't mind the snow at all! ❄️🐅❄️" (The Buffalo Zoo via Instagram)
• St. Patrick's Parade History: "Did you know that Buffalo held its first St. Patrick's Day Parade back in 1848?" (The Buffalo History Museum via Instagram)
• MS Awareness Week at the Botanical Gardens: "Tonight through March 15, we are lighting the dome orange for MS awareness 🧡 " (Buffalo and Erie County Botanical Gardens via Facebook)
• Black & White Buffalo: "A view in my city @buffalo_city_hall . . #buffalo #buffalony #wny #716 #artdeco #winter #billsmafia #igersbuffalo" (Kevin Rybczyński via Instagram)

You're officially in the loop for today. See you all tomorrow for another update!