Our Response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak

As a precaution to help limit the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and care for our community, Just Buffalo Literary Center has postponed a number of events, and we will follow the guidance of Buffalo Public Schools in terms of Just Buffalo Writing Center programming.

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In Gratitude

How can we nurture hope during these trying times? Sustain courage? Connect and uplift one another?

Six months. One city. Writing & reading our way into hope, together.

In Gratitude is a six-month, citywide initiative that aims to nurture hope and spread joy through reading, writing, and personal reflection, inspired by renowned poet + essayist Ross Gay.

The project will be celebrated with readings and performances as part of the Silo City Reading Series on June 27, 2026.

The “Gratitude” Boxes

Our uniquely designed “Gratitude boxes” will be located at our partner sites, listed below. Simply visit a location, grab a provided prompt card, and “Write & Drop” a brief moment of gratitude.

Read more about the “In Gratitude” boxes here.

The In Gratitude Events Calendar

Check out what events are coming up around Buffalo for the In Gratitude project, including creative workshops, book discussion groups, pop-up events, and more.

No event found!

No events currently scheduled. Check back soon for updates to the calendar!

The Latest In Gratitude News

Stay up-to-date on the latest news about the In Gratitude project from the Just Buffalo Writing Center.

Share the Light: Join Buffalo’s “In Gratitude” Project
Monday, May 4, 2026
Share the Light: Join Buffalo’s “In Gratitude” Project
Buffalo is currently alive with a citywide practice of "serious noticing". Inspired by Ross Gay’s award-winning Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude, the In Gratitude project is an invitation to pause and reflect on the small, universal moments of joy that connect us all.
Bring “In Gratitude” Creative Writing to Your School
Tuesday, April 7, 2026
Bring “In Gratitude” Creative Writing to Your School
Just Buffalo invites educators across the city of Buffalo to apply for the opportunity to transform their classrooms into spaces of discovery and gratitude.
Serious Noticing: A Guide to Filling the In Gratitude Boxes
Sunday, March 22, 2026
Serious Noticing: A Guide to Filling the In Gratitude Boxes
Have you seen any of the In Gratitude boxes around Buffalo? Perhaps you’ve stood before one, pencil in hand, and suddenly felt stuck. What counts as "gratitude?" What do I write on this little gratitude card? Does it have to be profound? Does it have to be poetic?
The Yearning To Hold a Living Thing Too Close by Luke Daly
Sunday, March 1, 2026
The Yearning To Hold a Living Thing Too Close by Luke Daly
Sparrow is the shape of my palate—
I put her in my mouth. I form my lips
into a holy-oak bivouac, field observatory
Read "The Yearning To Hold a Living Thing Too Close" by Luke Daly
Reading, Discussion, and Gratitude
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
Reading, Discussion, and Gratitude
At Just Buffalo Literary Center, we believe reading is a transformative act. By engaging with the voices of poets like Ross Gay, we learn to look with new eyes, discovering that the habit of reading can sharpen our empathy and spark joy.
All IN GRATITUDE News

Our Sponsors

In Gratitude is generously supported by:

Cullen Foundation Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Erie County Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
Foundation 214 - Sponsor Logo - Just Buffalo Literary Center
https://www.justbuffalo.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/m-and-t-bank-sponsor-logo-2026-just-buffalo-500x380-min.png

The Golden Goldman Philanthropic Fund
The Margaret L. Wendt Foundation