Another Voice: Access to Everything 716 Has to Offer
Buffalonians are known for their pride in their city and their community. They love everything about Buffalo and are quick to share their origins with anyone who asks. On July 16th every year, they have an official chance to celebrate their area code, 716, and take a moment to reflect on how they can better connect everyone in their region to the special things that make Buffalo unique.
This is where the 716 Foundation comes in. The foundation was established to provide support for local art, cultural, scientific, sports, and entertainment institutions. Their goal is to make these institutions accessible to all members of the community by offering free and subsidized admission for underserved children and their families. They believe that everyone in the 716 community should have equal access to everything their city has to offer.
Despite the progress that Buffalo has made over the past decade, the city still has a high poverty rate. The poverty rate in Buffalo is more than double the national average, and the child poverty rate is seven times the national average. This means that many of their neighbors do not have the means to enjoy the same 716 that is being celebrated.
But the 716 Foundation is determined to make a difference. They have already started their efforts this summer by offering free admission for all incoming fourth-graders and their families to the Explore & More Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Children’s Museum. They have also resurfaced the basketball court at Cradle Beach in Angola and funded a cohort of campers’ tuition to ensure that the camp can offer competitive wages to its employees. This fall, they plan to connect children and their families to events at the world-class AKG Buffalo Art Museum and to Bills football games at Highmark Stadium.
In November 2022, they will be supporting the Buffalo Zoo by bringing in a new herd of bison and making significant improvements to their habitat. And on July 16, 2022, they sponsored $7.16 admission to the zoo to ensure that more families could celebrate the new exhibit and enjoy all that the zoo has to offer.
The 716 Foundation’s efforts are all about enjoying the expansive neighborhood and connecting more neighbors to these opportunities. They hope to encourage others to contribute to an accessible and equitable 716 that everyone can be proud of.
Aaron Stahura, the president of the 716 Foundation, is a proud Western New York native who is dedicated to making a difference in his community. The foundation’s work is an important step towards creating a more inclusive Buffalo, where everyone has the chance to experience all that the city has to offer.
By providing capital support for local institutions and offering free and subsidized admission, the 716 Foundation is ensuring that underserved children and their families can participate in the vibrant cultural and entertainment scene in Buffalo. Their efforts are making a difference, and they are a shining example of how a community can come together to create a more equitable and accessible city.
Buffalo’s pride is apparent in the work of the 716 Foundation. They are investing in their community and working towards a brighter future for all. With their ongoing efforts and the support of Buffalo natives near and far, the 716 community can continue to grow and thrive, offering opportunities for everyone to enjoy all that their great city has to offer.
