By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo City Mission says its third annual fund-raising campaign has exceeded its $1.2 million goal. Campaign organizers gathered Tuesday afternoon to celebrate the achievement.
Executive Director Tom McLaughlin said there was a time when they thought they wouldn't make it. But he said the campaign was extended and last minute support put them over the top.
McLaughlin said there is an increased need for the agency's services.
"We have continued to feel the impact of welfare reform first hand," McLaughlin said. "More men, women and children are coming to us for help. They're coming to us desperately needing food, clothing and shelter."
McLaughlin said there were 19,000 individual donations to the campaign. Ninety-nine percent of the City Mission's operating budget comes from contributions.