Buffalo couple opens up their doors to feed 130 people during deadly blizzard

A couple jumped into action to help those affected by the horrific Buffalo blizzard by welcoming 130 people into their home. 

Al Robinson, 52, from Buffalo, New York, and his wife, Vivian, were preparing to spend the holidays with their nine children, but when a bomb cyclone devastated the city, their plans changed in an instance. 

In an interview with Today, the couple detailed how they opened their doors and fed 130 people. 

Al Robinson, 52, from Buffalo, New York, and his wife, Vivian, jumped into action to help those affected by the horrific Buffalo blizzard by welcoming 130 people into their home

The Buffalo-based couple were preparing to spend the holidays with their nine children, but when a bomb cyclone devastated the city, their plans changed in an instance

In an interview with Today, the couple detailed how they opened their doors and fed more than 100 people

When Al, a pastor at Spirit Of Truth Urban Ministry, and Vivian went grocery shopping, the couple, who live on the church's campus, purchased two weeks' worth of food for their family of 11 in preparation for the deadly storm. 

When multiple feet of snow began stranding residents in the Robinsons' neighborhood, they knew they had to open the church doors to those in danger. 

'We had people that were freezing to death, you could not drive and the windchill factor dipped down into the negative 20s, so it hurts your face to walk around,' Al told Today. 

The couple immediately phoned a friend who had a snowmobile and he soon became an integral part of their rescue operation as he would pick up people and bring them to the church. 

Al noted: 'He would get them along with their cats, dogs and whatever else that they might have and bring them.'

To spread the word to those who were suffering as a result of the bomb cyclone, the couple posted on Facebook to urge people to come to their church.

Al even noted that they were so worried someone would get locked outside the church and 'frozen to death' so they 'broke the doors' so that they would not 'auto lock.'  

When multiple feet of snow began stranding residents in the Robinsons' neighborhood, they knew they had to help those in danger

To reach those who were suffering as a result of the bomb cyclone, the couple posted on Facebook to urge people to come to their church

By Christmas Eve, the Robinsons had opened their doors for 130 people, and by Christmas day they were 'well over that number'

By Christmas Eve, the Robinsons had opened their doors for 130 people, and by Christmas Day they were 'well over that number.' 

And not only did the couple welcome residents with open arms, they also accommodated the needs of every single person.  

'People were elderly. We had a 92-year-old that needed oxygen. We had 9-month-olds that needed formula,' Al said. 

'We had so many things going on and every one of those needs were met.' 

Al explained that the food they had purchased to feed their family of 11 for two weeks turned out to be enough to feed 130 people for two days, adding that they had 'different kinds of ethnic foods from Hispanic to Arabian and Italian,' before noting that it was 'fantastic.' 

The couple even sorted out sleeping situations for everyone inside. 

The Robinsons recently sold a rehabilitation home in hopes of building a bigger center, so they just moved all the mattresses and beds from the home into the church.   

'We used every one of those mattresses and beds to house all these people,' Al said.

'It was just crazy. I mean, it's like all the life that we have lived before was for this one moment in time.' 

Al explained that the food they had purchased to feed their family of 11 for two weeks turned out to be enough to feed 130 people for two days

Al credited his faith for giving him the chance to help other during such a crucial time

 The storm has been coined the blizzard of the century and has battered the eastern seaboard and mid-west with freezing temperatures, multiple feet of snow and flooding

Maria Colón, a Buffalo resident, dubbed the Robinsons as 'angels' when speaking to Today. 

Al credited his faith for giving him the chance to help others during such a crucial time. 

'People need to realize that if God has given them the ability to help someone else, it is incumbent upon them to help someone else,' he told Today. 

The pastor explained that they 'weren't expecting' any of the 'chaos,' but that 'God' 'supplied the need before the need was needed.' 

The storm has been coined the blizzard of the century, and has battered the eastern seaboard and mid-west with freezing temperatures, multiple feet of snow and flooding. 

More than 200 million people nationwide have been impacted by the storm

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said almost every fire truck in Buffalo was stranded in the snow

A public service advert has asked anybody with a snowmobile to come forward to aid emergency services in Erie County, New York

More than 200 million people nationwide have been impacted by the storm, leaving many families pleading for help as many have died after being trapped in their cars blanketed by several feet of snow or seeking shelter at department stores. 

The National Guard has been deployed to help with the rescue efforts after emergency services were overwhelmed. 

Ahead of the holiday weekend, New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that every fire truck in Buffalo was stranded in the snow, adding that it was estimated about 500 cars were stuck on. 

The New York state governor said the aftermath of the storm resembled a 'war zone.'

Buffalo hasn't suffered a storm this deadly since 1950, making the combination of fierce snow, wind and freezing temperatures the most lethal in over 70 years. 

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