Thank you for visiting my Hike for Hunger fundraising page. The Amherst Survival Center is so near and dear to my heart. I have the honor of serving as the Development Manager at the ASC, where I've worked for the last eight and a half years. Every day I see the impact that we have in people's lives. Food, personal care items and basic necessities are really expensive coupled with rent or a mortgage, utilities, gas, child care and many other living expenses. People are so relieved and appreciative that they can get free groceries from our food pantry. They leave with a lot of food and good quality food items like milk, eggs, meat, fresh produce, cereal, pasta, and more. Many people also come for a balanced, nutritious meal at lunch time while enjoying the company of others. All are truly welcomed with open arms and met with a friendly face.
The Center needs our financial support to continue to do this meaningful work. Hike for Hunger is one of the ways the Center raises money throughout the year. I assure you that your donation of $10, $25, $100, $500, or any amount is well spent and truly does make a difference in so many lives. I hope you will consider supporting the ASC and all our neighbors who rely on the food and services we provide. Thank you, it means a lot to me!
Warmly,
Lisa
Hike for Hunger 2022
If you would still like to make a donation to Hike for Hunger, please visit www.amherstsurvival.org/donate.
Hike for Hunger is an opportunity to be outside and active while raising funds to support the work of the Amherst Survival Center, ensuring our neighbors have access to healthy food.
Proceeds from Hike for Hunger go directly to the Center's food and nutrition programs, reaching more than 7,000 people annually. In recent months, the Center has seen a signficant increase in the number of people coming for food, exceeding the highest pandemic peaks. People can get a delicious, hearty lunch to go or to enjoy in the newly reopened dining room. They can also get fresh produce, bread, and baked goods that have been recovered from nearby grocery stores and farms. Food pantry shoppers can bring home two weeks' worth of groceries every month, including milk, eggs, meat, produce, non-perishables, and personal hygiene items, and can also return for a second pick-up of fresh produce and perishables. In the last year, the Center has provided more than 1,000,000 meals--prepared meals provided onsite and groceries to take home--to close to 7,000 people.
Your support of Hike for Hunger makes it possible for the Center to respond to the growing need and get more food out the door to more people.
Founded in 1976, the Amherst Survival Center addresses social determinants of health in Western Massachusetts through a community center that helps area residents meet their basic needs. We are the only organization of its kind locally to provide free meals, free groceries, free clothing and housewares, a free walk-in medical clinic, access to community resources, community activities, and specialized services for individuals experiencing homelessness, all under one roof.
Pre-Covid, we served 6,000+ people annually in about 48,000 visits. Since 2020, the Amherst Survival Center has more than tripled our daily meal service and doubled the amount of food provided by our food pantry, distributed via onsite shopping, curbside pickup, and delivery. In the last year, we provided more than 1,000,000 meals—prepared and groceries—to close to 7,000 people.
For more information, visit www.amherstsurvival.org