Hidden Gems: Meet Jonathan of Buffalow Family and Friends

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jonathan.

Hi Jonathan, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Buffalow Family and Friends is a deeply rooted community based nonprofit in Chesapeake Virginia that has grown from a small front porch food effort sixteen years ago into one of the region’s most impactful hunger relief organizations. Under the leadership of Nischelle Buffalow and her family the organization now operates four units in the Southgate Plaza including a food bank warehouse two commercial kitchens and a resource center. With a mission centered on feeding supporting and uplifting local families Buffalow Family and Friends serves over nine hundred households each month through its weekly pop up markets which provide free fresh produce proteins dairy fruit vegetables and shelf stable items. The organization is known for large scale seasonal initiatives including Thanksgiving distributions that feed tens of thousands annually as well as salon day partnerships with Chesapeake Career Center and year round collaborations with nonprofits such as Big Homie C U T S and Community Outreach Coalition. Strategic state funding has allowed Buffalow Family and Friends to significantly expand capacity including purchasing a refrigerated truck a forklift and a walk in refrigeration system. Through dedicated service strong partnerships and a volunteer driven model the organization continues to meet growing community needs with compassion consistency and excellence.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The journey for Buffalow Family and Friends has never been a smooth road. What began on a small front porch grew faster than our resources could keep up with. We often faced limited funding unpredictable volunteer support and the constant pressure of meeting rising community needs. Expanding from one unit to four created both opportunity and strain as we worked to secure equipment staffing and storage while still feeding thousands each month. Even with these challenges we remained committed to showing up for our neighbors and every obstacle has strengthened our mission and proven the necessity of the work we do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Buffalow Family and Friends is a community driven nonprofit in Chesapeake Virginia committed to fighting hunger and uplifting families with dignity. We specialize in providing weekly pop up markets that serve more than nine hundred households each month with fresh produce proteins dairy and essential groceries at no cost. We are known for large scale efforts like our Thanksgiving distribution which has fed tens of thousands and for our collaborative work with schools nonprofits youth programs and senior based organizations. What sets us apart is our consistency our compassion and our ability to stretch every resource to reach as many people as possible. We are most proud of transforming a small front porch effort into a four unit facility that now includes a warehouse commercial kitchens and a resource center. Our brand stands for service integrity and community first values. We want readers to know that everything we do is rooted in love for our city and a commitment to making sure no family is left without support.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
The greatest resource we have is the feedback we receive from the community we serve. Hearing directly from families seniors youth and individuals who rely on our support teaches us more than any app book or podcast ever could. Their stories guide our decisions their gratitude keeps us grounded and their needs help us shape our programs with purpose. Real life feedback is our compass and it reminds us every day why we do this work.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Buffalow family.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bffcommunitydays?igsh=dG5jNzNnOTFqYnoy&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/17tpsnYrHz/?mibextid=wwXIfr