Donation drive for Afghan evacuees shows generosity of UB, local community

The School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences started the season of giving a little early this year.

A conversation in October between Gina Prescott, clinical associate professor and global health outreach coordinator at the school, and May Shogan, director of international exchanges and education at the International Institute of Buffalo, revealed that there were more than 350 evacuees from Afghanistan arriving in Buffalo by mid-November. There was an urgent need for cold weather apparel, toiletries and grocery store gift cards.

“The evacuees were not arriving under the traditional refugee process, but through humanitarian measures,” Prescott explains. “Because of this, they receive minimal public assistance and have difficulty accessing jobs, housing, medical insurance and food aid.”

Prescott knew she could help, and rallied fellow faculty and staff members, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences students, local pharmacists and the UB community. The response was immediate — and remarkable.

Members of the International Pharmaceutical Students Federation (IPSF) jumped into action. The UB chapter has years of experience supporting underserved communities, from local refugee medication training clinics to international medical mission trips. This project was an opportunity for students to extend their community service beyond clinical training.

“Many students choose the field of health care for the desire to help someone,” Prescott says. “Initiatives like these show our students there are many ways to help the community, even if it is not directly related to pharmacy. By providing basic needs for patients, you improve their health.”

IPSF set up donation sites across UB’s three campuses. Within days, the boxes were overflowing.

Over 800 cold weather apparel items, including coats, hats, gloves, boots and scarves, and dozens of gift cards were collected. The total estimated value of donations was over $12,000. For the students, the experience was priceless.

“This project has taught me a lot about socioeconomic status and standard of living,” says Carly Le, PharmD ’24. “As a future pharmacist, it is important that I take this with me throughout my career to provide better care for patients from all backgrounds and cultures.”

These values, instilled on day one and reinforced through graduation, are what create the well-rounded, compassionate pharmacists UB is known for.

“Our students begin their program with a professional oath, committing to moral virtues that will guide them personally and professionally,” says Niki Pizzutelli, assistant director for student, professional and community affairs. “By participating in outreach initiatives such as this, they put these principles into action.”

Kristine Hammond, an educational software developer in the School of Dental Medicine, hand knit more than 60 hats; her daughter helped label each by size. “I’ve been making hats and donating them as a way of relaxing and de-stressing during the pandemic,” she says. “I thought the refugees would need something warm for this winter, so I donated several of the hats to them.”

Gloria Huerta, donations coordinator at the International Institute of Buffalo, greeted the pharmacy students and their carloads of donations with gratitude, and reiterated how important their charitable efforts are.

“When refugees arrive in our city, they become our neighbors,” Huerta says. “These generous donations from our community allow us to welcome them with dignity.”

Prescott hopes the pharmacy school’s efforts give the new residents a sense of belonging, and even some joy.

“The world today is connected as much by humanity as by geography,” she says. “The success of this donation drive shows the true community compassion of UB and Western New York.”