Where Did the Money Go? Part 1: How Can We Help?

About this episode

The episode examines the distribution of nearly 100 million dollars pledged to support Buffalo’s East Side after the May 14 Tops mass shooting and the challenges faced by survivors in receiving aid.

In part one of a three-part anniversary series marking four years since the May 14 Tops mass shooting, What’s Next? examines the nearly 100 million dollars pledged to support Buffalo’s East Side and the families impacted by the tragedy. The episode explores how state and federal funding, corporate donations, and community fundraising efforts were distributed, while also examining the challenges survivors faced in receiving support and the lingering questions surrounding accountability and transparency. The conversation also looks at the emergency response efforts created after the shooting and the ongoing work to rebuild trust within the community.

Topics covered

• funding distribution
• community support
• survivor challenges
• accountability
• transparency
• emergency response
• trust rebuilding

Keywords

• Tops mass shooting
• Buffalo
• funding
• community support
• survivors
• accountability
• transparency

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Tops

Places: Buffalo

More episodes of What’s Next?

• What Can We Learn from One Survivor’s Journey to Healing? · June 10, 2026 · 55 min
• How Is Western New York Addressing Gaps in Mental Health Care? · June 8, 2026 · 55 min
• Where the Money Go? Part III: What Has Changed? · June 3, 2026 · 56 min
• Where Did the Money Go? Part 2: Where Did (Or Didn’t) It Go? · June 1, 2026 · 55 min
• What Misconceptions Do People Have About Hospice Care · May 20, 2026 · 55 min
• What Is Being Done to Address Literacy Challenges in Western New York · May 18, 2026 · 55 min