Who We Are

Since 1976, the Amherst Survival Center has promoted the health and well being of residents of Franklin and Hampshire counties with a wide variety of programs designed to help people meet their basic needs.

The ASC provides a welcoming community where families and individuals who are struggling to make ends meet can come for food, clothing, health care and for companionship and relief from isolation.  People are here to share their material resources, information, concerns, and frustrations.  No one is turned away.

The Amherst Survival Center serves close to 6,000 people each year. Our services, all of which are free, include a Food Pantry, Community Meal, Breakfast Bar, Drop-In Health Clinic, Community (free) Store, Food Recovery Network, Fresh Food Distribution, yoga and exercise classes, field trips, live music performances and movie nights, job readiness workshops, job fairs, information & referral, as well as a variety of other support services.

Volunteers are the backbone of the Survival Center. The Center’s 200-plus volunteers do everything from cooking and cleaning to providing medical care and stocking pantry shelves.

The Center gets vital and essential support from local businesses, civic organizations, faith communities and individuals who donate their time and resources.

For more information about volunteering, click here.

Read on to learn a little about our history here.