‘Filled with Love’ bison market opens in Pendleton, ‘brings together’ refugees | Local News

Karina Krantz, owner of Filled with Love Buffalo Market on Campbell Boulevard in Pendleton, said she wants to bring together three qualities: organic, European and local, but her story is about more than baguettes and pierogis.

When she was a little girl, Krantz and her entire family came to Buffalo as immigrants through the Buffalo International Institute. For years, her Ukrainian grandparents worked during the day and learned English in classes at night.

As the Russo-Ukrainian War broke out, Krantz decided to raise money for the IIB and was able to donate $30,000 to the organization.

“I wanted to help them because they are a great organization,” she said.

Krantz did the same thing the following year and raised about $25,000 through that fundraiser. Not only did those events help refugees, they also helped Krantz organize different vendors and small businesses for fundraisers and build connections for his future market. When all was said and done, the dream landed in Pendleton and celebrated its grand opening on Thursday.

And Krantz’s commitment to the IIB hasn’t waned. Customers are encouraged to “round up” their purchases to the next dollar to share their change and fund the organization’s programs. Customers can also make larger donations at the market.

Todd Brooks, IIB’s director of philanthropy and community engagement, was at the opening. He said the money from about 30 clients will be used to help immigrants and refugees integrate into the community by providing employment services, educational resources and translation services.

“It can be anything from getting a bus pass for our clients, the refugees. We connect them with a doctor, we help them get their children into school,” he said.

According to Brooks, the “clients” come from United Nations refugee camps after fleeing their countries. Some refugee children have spent most of their lives in these camps.

“It takes years of vetting to make sure you’re not a bad actor,” he said, noting that his clients have no choice about where they go and can be sent to Germany, Finland or even Buffalo.

“They have a suitcase and we come to pick them up. Many don’t speak English. They want to work, right away. Earn money, buy cars, take care of their children,” he says.

Buffalo Filled with Love Market is located at 6505 Campbell Blvd. Suite A.