Outreach
Augustana is committed to helping those who are in need. We have a variety of initiatives that assist people in the local community, the US, and around the world. Visitors are invited to assist in these projects. Contact the church office for details and to become involved, or stop in to learn more.
Refugee & Immigrant Driving Program
In 2007, Augustana instituted the Refugee and Immigrant Driving Program to help individuals earn their driver’s licenses. It is the only program of its kind in Western New York.
Augustana volunteers have aided more than 100 participants from 30 different countries in obtaining driver’s licenses. Additional participants have earned their driving permit.
Costs, from training materials to the permit test fee and professional driving lessons, are covered by individual donations, Lutheran Charities, the Lutheran Foundation of WNY, and Thrivent Financial. Augustana is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization. Donations can be made payable and sent to:
Augustana Lutheran Church
3143 Eggert Road
Tonawanda, NY 14150.
The Driving Program brochure is available here.
A one-page document about the program is here.
God's Work. Our Hands.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) annually holds a national day of service called "God's Work. Our Hands.' ELCA churches across the US choose service projects that benefit their communities.
In 2020 and 2021, we had Drive-through Food Pantry Drives for the
Community of Good Neighbors in Buffalo.
For many years, Augustana worked at Habitat for Humanity sites, along with members from Trinity Old Lutheran. The work could be anything from hanging siding and doing landscaping
to interior painting and installing drywall. Lunches were provided by other ELCA churches, most recently from Abiding Savior.
Food Pantry Support
We support the Community of Good Neighbors Mobile Food Pantry and the
Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Food Pantry throughout the year.
Contact the food pantries for assistance or more information:
Community of Good Neighbors: (716) 768-1998 / Buffalo, NY
Good Shepherd: (716) 832-5390 / Tonawanda, NY
Cold Weather Gear
Augustana collects cold weather gear for local charities such as Friends of the Night People and the Community of Good Neighbors.
Hearts for the Homeless
In our parking lot, we have a community collection box for clothing, shoes and blankets. Donations go Hearts for the Homeless, a non-profit Christian organization in Buffalo, NY.
Throughout the year we raise funds for charities that help people in need locally, nationally, and globally.
Evangelical Model Primary School, Roknola Village, Sierra Leone
In 2001, Augustana sponsored a family to come to Buffalo from Sierra Leone, in West Africa. At the time the nation was experiencing a civil war. Through this family, we have become involved with the Evangelical Model Primary School in Roknola Village, which is near Masaika Town.
Children in Sierra Leone experience a high rate of poverty so we help provide food for the children at lunch time. We also gathered donations toward the completion of the school building.
When we receive updates on the school we share them in our newsletter, which is posted on our News page.
The photo below was taken at the school.
Click here for additional photos and to learn more about our involvement with this school.
Lutheran Charities of WNY
Lutheran Charities supports 14 agencies and programs that benefit people in our
local community. Read more about Lutheran Charities of WNY.
Lutheran Disaster Response
Lutheran Disaster Response works in the US and around the world to help people affected by natural disasters. Read more about Lutheran Disaster Response.
ELCA World Hunger
This fund addresses hunger in both the United States and in other nations.
In the fall, we hold a drive for ELCA World Hunger called 'God's Global Barnyard,' with individuals choosing farm animals to be given to those in need, culminating in a luncheon to celebrate and to thank the donors.
