Augustana Lutheran Church

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. 

​

This year we are having a Drive-through Food Pantry Drive on October 16 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.

It is a wonderful feeling to work on the house along with the future homeowners and know that you are helping them achieve their goal of owning a home.

​

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

​

Hearts for the Homeless

In our parking lot, we have a community
collection box for clothing, shoes and blankets.
Donated items go to Hearts for the Homeless,
a non-profit organization in Buffalo, NY.

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.