Thank you for visiting my Hike for Hunger fundraising page! While Paul fishes, Rose, Maggie, and I are hiking to raise money for the Amherst Survival Center to make sure all our neighbors have access to healthy food. This organization meant a lot to Nicola, so when Dom started a team in her honor, we joined. Nicola introduced me to the ASC community shortly after I moved to Amherst. Several years later, she joined the board and I joined the staff.
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.
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