🌱 Healthcare Workers in Albany + SNAP Benefits Updates + 26 Shirts

Hello, friends. I'm back in your inbox this chilly morning with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll read about...

• Albany healthcare worker march.
• New 26 Shirt
• Buffalo Charter Schools Fair

But first, today's weather:

Mostly cloudy and breezy. High: 44. Low: 36.

📢 I'm looking for business owners and marketers in Buffalo who want to build awareness, connect with customers and increase sales.

I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. If that's you, then I invite you to learn more and secure your spot now.

Here are the top five stories today in Buffalo:

1. This afternoon, healthcare workers are rallying in Albany, asking for more funding allocated to healthcare in Gov. Kathy Hochul's 2024 budget. This funding would go towards better equipment, safety-net funding and rebuilding after the pandemic, among other things. Buffalo union workers are leaving the city at 5 AM today. (WIVB 4)
2. After extra pandemic funding for food benefits ended last month, organizations like FeedMore WNY and West Side Community Services are preparing for excess need. Homes that rely on SNAP benefits will now be receiving up to $250 less monthly. (WKBW 7)
3. 26 Shirts has released a Van Gogh themed design to fundraise for the family of Buffalo Firefighter Jason Arno, who lost his life fighting a downtown fire earlier this month. Of each shirt sold, the Arno family, which consists of Jason's wife and three-year-old daughter, receives $8. (WGRZ 2)
4. This weekend there will be a Buffalo Charter Schools Fair at the Buffalo Museum of Science. The fair is free to attend and have representatives from charter schools for all grade levels. (Buffalo Rising)
5. A market analysis has been approved for a Canalside cruise ship port. The market demand study is considering construction at either Michigan Pier or DL&W Terminal. Cruise ship ports already exist in Great Lake cities like Cleveland and Detroit. (The Buffalo News)

Today in Buffalo:

• Baking Basics for Ages 8-13! Miller's Thumb Bakery & Cafe, 3:30 PM
• Light up the Night: A World Down Syndrome Day Party! GiGi's Playhouse Down Syndrome Achievement Center, 5:00 PM
• Mirror Project Reading Circle Discussion! Online, 5:30 PM
• Intro to VR with A-Frame! Squeaky Wheel, 6:00 PM
• Buffalo Sabres vs. Nashville Predators! KeyBank Center, 7:00 PM

From my notebook:

• Spring at UB: "Believe it or not, it's the first day of spring! Now we just have to wait for the weather (and flowers) to catch up 🌸🌼🏵️ #UBuffalo" (University at Buffalo via Instagram)
• Vault @ 237: "Set inside a 100-year-old bank, the new restaurant is unlike anything else in town. Head to our bio to take a peek inside👀" (Step Out Buffalo via Instagram)
• South Buffalo Irish: "I hope everyone had a good/safe weekend… Buffalo NY… ☘️ . . #stpatricksday #irish #buffalo #buffalony #wny #716 #southbuffalo #ireland #stpatricksdayparade" (Kevin Rybczyński via Instagram)
• Bunny at the City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter: "Do you want some bunny 🐰 to love?? Gemma, with her adorable bunny ears, is just the gal!!" (City Of Buffalo Animal Shelter via Instagram)
• Spring at Buffalo State University: "Sunshine and blue skies, how we've missed you ☀️ Happy first day of spring, Bengals! 💐" (Buffalo State University via Instagram)

Thanks for following along and staying informed. See you all tomorrow morning for another update!