Hi! I think that people shouldn't be hungry and that access to good, quality food is a human right. There have also been times in my life where I or my family have had to utilize assistance programs in order to ensure we had enough food to put on the table. It is important to me that we do all we can to help folks who - for whatever reason - are unable to fulfill this basic need on our own. This is why I am hiking to raise money for the Amherst Survival Center. I may not live in the area these days, but I still consider its community my own.
Will you help me make a difference for families facing food insecurity?
The Center has seen a significant increase in the number of people coming for food, far exceeding the highest peaks of the pandemic. To meet rising need, the Center dramatically increased the amount of food they provide and expanded access by offering free grocery delivery and curbside pickup. Your support means that people can get delicious, nutritious meals four days a week, take home 14 days' worth of groceries each month, and have regular access to fresh produce and baked goods!
Please consider making a donation of any amount to the Amherst Survival Center and help ensure that all our neighbors have access to food. All donations are tax-deductible and you’ll receive an email receipt immediately after you donate.
Thank you so much for your support! Let’s give hunger the boot!
Hike for Hunger
Hike for Hunger is a monthlong opportunity to hit the trails while raising funds to ensure our neighbors have access to healthy food. Proceeds from Hike for Hunger go directly to the Amherst Survival Center's food and nutrition programs, which last year provided over 1.3 million meals (prepared and groceries) to roughly 8,500 people by way of:
- Free hot lunches in our sunny dining room served 4x weekly
- Free groceries from our Food Pantry, providing up to 14 days of food per person per month
- Free grocery delivery to over 1,000 people in Western Mass every month
- Additional free produce and baked items offered 4x weekly from outdoor Fresh Food Distribution.
In recent months, the Center has seen record numbers of people accessing services. At the same time, the end of COVID grants and supply chain issues have reduced the food that the Center is able to get from the Food Bank, which means our food programs are buying more than ever to keep shelves stocked. Your support of Hike for Hunger makes it possible for the Amherst Survival Center to respond to the growing need and get more food 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 with:
- Free hot lunches in the sunny dining room, served 4x weekly
- Free groceries from the Food Pantry, providing up to 14 days of food per person per month
- Free grocery delivery to over 1,000 people in Western Mass every month
- Free health clinic visits with great local doctors
- Free onsite mail boxes, lockers, and showers for people experiencing homelessness
- AND Free community events and workshops like musical performances and fitness classes
Since 2019, the Amherst Survival Center's kitchen has quadrupled its daily meal service, and the Food Pantry has tripled the amount of monthly food provided per individual. In the last year, the Center provided nearly 1.3 million meals—prepared and groceries—to close to 8,500 people.
For more information, visit www.amherstsurvival.org