National Grid partners with MSAAHC to support local students

The Michigan Street African American Heritage Corridor (MSAAHC) is proud to be a recipient of National Grid’s Community Back-to-School Backpack Giveaway. Through this generous sponsorship, the MSAAHC, in partnership with National Grid, will distribute PanchoPacks filled with essential school supplies to local students during Mrs. Frances Nash’s Garden Basket Farmers Market on Tuesday, August 19, and Tuesday, August 26.

“National Grid’s support ensures that our young people are better prepared for the school year ahead,” said Terry Alford, Executive Director of the MSAAHC. “Every child deserves the tools to be ready for learning, and together we are building stronger pathways to opportunity.”

Mrs. Frances Nash’s Garden Basket Farmers Market was created to promote economic and community development by showcasing locally grown produce and addressing health disparities caused by limited access to fresh, healthy food on Buffalo’s historic East Side. By aligning with National Grid, MSAAHC is able to extend its impact—providing students not only with food for the body, but also the supplies needed to nourish the mind.

“At National Grid, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to start the school year with dignity,” said Robert Simmons III, National Grid’s Vice President for US Social Impact and Community Engagement and Executive Director of the National Grid Foundation. “Providing backpacks filled with supplies is more than a gesture—it’s a statement that we see their potential and are committed to supporting their journey. Empowering young learners from underserved communities is an investment in the future of our neighborhoods, our workforce, and our world.”

The Garden Basket Farmers Market runs every Tuesday from 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM, June through October 14, at 136 Broadway Avenue (corner of Broadway and Michigan).