Hike for Hunger is an opportunity to get outside in nature while ensuring our neighbors have access to food!
You can register as an individual or as part of a team and set your personal hiking goal. Once you register, you’ll be able to customize your own PledgeReg fundraising page to start collecting donations from family and friends.
Come October, head out on the trails wherever and whenever you’d like – with your family, your friends, or your furry friends – and share your adventures. You can also join one of our group hikes! Hike for Hunger runs from Oct 1 – 31. You have four weeks to reach your fundraising goal!
Proceeds from Hike for Hunger go directly to our food and nutrition programs, which last year provided 1.3 million meals (prepared and groceries) to nearly 8,600 neighbors.
Registration is $25 and includes a 2023 Hike for Hunger sling bag. There is no fundraising minimum, but it is encouraged and those who fundraise will be eligible to earn great prizes.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate?
- Register today as an individual or as part of a team. The registration fee is $25 and includes a 2023 Hike for Hunger sling bag. 100% of your registration is tax-deductible and provides meals to our neighbors.
- Set up your personal fundraising page using our easy template. Ask your family, friends, and neighbors to contribute and help you reach your fundraising goal by sharing the link to your fundraising page!
- Hike over the month of October. Set your personal Hike for Hunger goal using one of the examples we have provided or one of your own. Whether you hike 4 miles or 40 miles, you’ll be helping to raise awareness and funds for hunger relief.
- Share your adventures on social media by using the hashtag #Hike4Hunger and by tagging us @AmherstSurvival. We’ll also share your pictures on Facebook and Instagram!
Can I win prizes?
Of course! (Everything is a little more fun with prizes!) All registrants will receive a Hike for Hunger sling bag. Hikers who raise $300 or more will receive their choice of a Hike for Hunger camp mug, water bottle, or beanie!
Prizes will be awarded to leaders in different categories, such as number of miles hiked, amount of money raised, and number of supporters. Prizes and categories can be found here!
Prizes will also be awarded in the Hike for Hunger prize drawing! Earn entries throughout the month of October starting with your registration (that’s one entry right there!). Everyone has a chance to win!
One entry for:
-Registering for Hike for Hunger!
-Every $100 raised!
-Joining a group hike!
-Share photos weekly! Tag @AmherstSurvival in your hike photos, or send hike photos to development@amherstsurvival.org
Can I hike with a team?
Absolutely! You can fundraise as a team, and you can hike together or apart. You’ll see there’s an option to join a team when you register. Each member of your team must register as an individual. If your team is your family and you do not wish to pay the registration fee for children, that’s fine but they will not receive a sling bag. If you would like to participate as a group (class, student org, youth group, etc.), please contact Kelley Jewell at development@amherstsurvival.org
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can hike?
Anyone can participate! There are no age restrictions. You don’t have to live in the area to participate.
Youth hikers age 18 and under should register in their respective age category (under 12 or 12 to 18) to compete against similar hikers for Most Miles Hiked.
Where can I hike?
You can hike anywhere you like! Any state, any trail, any mountain or outdoor space! Check out these great resources below, or go to our Hike for Hunger Toolkit to learn about group hikes!
I don’t want to hike, can I just make a donation?
Of course! You can choose to sponsor a hiker (or several!) by clicking here, or you can make a general donation on our website.
Can my workplace sponsor Hike for Hunger?
Yes! Sponsorship opportunities are available for any business that wants to support the event. Contact Kelley Jewell at development@amherstsurvival.org
2023 Optional Group Hikes
Sponsored by Adventure East
Looking to learn a new trail or meet new friends? Join us on a group hike! Thanks to our trail sponsors Adventure East and trail hosts Kestrel Land Trust! Registration is required and all hikes are weather permitting.
Sunday October 1st @ 10am: Mount Norwottuck, a moderate to challenging uphill hike with a view. Approximately 2 hours. Meet at Notch Visitor Center. Led by Kestrel Land Trust! (limit 15 people)
Saturday October 14th @ 1pm: Silvio O. Conte Refuge Nature Trail, an easy, flat, ADA certified trail with beautiful landscapes and wildlife. Approximately 1 hour. Meet at Conte Refuge parking lot. Led by Kestrel Land Trust! (limit 15 people)
Saturday October 28th @ 1pm: Mount Sugarloaf, a moderate uphill hike with a view of the Connecticut River. Meet at Sugarloaf Parking lot. Led by members of the Amherst Survival Center.
2023 Prizes
Make your miles count by counting your donations and your miles. Whether you’re an avid hiker or a family with little ones in tow, you’ll have an opportunity to earn awesome prizes in leader categories such as Most Money Raised or Most Donors and in a prize drawing. If you raise $300 or more, you’ll get your choice of a cool prize: a Hike for Hunger water bottle, camp mug, or beanie (NEW this year)!
You’ll gain one entry to the drawing for:
-Registering for Hike for Hunger!
-Every $100 raised!
-Joining one of our scheduled group hikes!
-Sharing photos weekly! Tag @AmherstSurvival on social media, or send to development@amherstsurvival.org so we can share the fun!
Drawing prizes include: A gift basket from Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters and a Hike for Hunger mug, a $25 gift card to Sam’s Outfitters, a giftbag with glassware from Tree House Brewing Co, a gift card from White Lion Brewing, and a $10 gift card to Richardson’s candy kitchen!
SOLO CATEGORY
Most Money Raised
Make a day of it! Head out on the town from sun-up until way past bedtime. $450 worth of gift cards to Amherst area restaurants and businesses plus 2 tickets to any show at the Drake! Thanks Amherst Downtown BID!
Most Donors
Local business owner Jess Marsh of Hired Hand Signs is painting a custom boot sign (design TBA!). We’ll give you THIS boot, if you help us GIVE HUNGER THE BOOT by gaining the most donors!
Most Miles
You and 3 friends are headed to the movies! 4 free movie passes from Amherst Cinema and a $50 downtown Amherst gift card from the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce to sweeten the deal.
TEAM CATEGORY
Most Money Raised
For the team that knocks their fundraising out of the park, you’re taking a trip to (look at) the moon! Adventure East is reserving 4 spaces on a guided Full Moon Hike. Take in the sights and sounds under the glow of the full moon! Plus a $50 gift card to Tavern on the Hill for a perfect end to the evening! Multiple hike locations and dates available.
Most Donors
To the team that secures the most donors, you can reach new heights with 4 full day passes to Central Rock Gym! With 24,000 sq feet of climbing terrain and 6,000 sq feet of bouldering, it’s a world class indoor rock climbing facility for you to explore!
Thank you to our amazing 2023 Hike for Hunger Sponsors!
Mount Toby Sponsors
Mount Tom Sponsors
Mount Sugarloaf Sponsors
Amherst Downtown
Dean’s Beans
Florence Bank
Hope & Olive
Northeast Solar
The Vac Store
Mount Warner Sponsors
Checkwriters
GoBerry ‘n’ Cream
Rise Above Bakery
Sally Malsch – Five College Realtors
Tandem Bagel Company
Thank you to the following businesses for donating prizes!
Adventure East
Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
Amherst Cinema
Amherst Downtown
Central Rock Gym
Hired Hand Signs
Richardson’s Candy Kitchen
Sam’s Outfitters
Shelburne Falls Coffee Roasters
Tavern on the Hill
Tree House Brewing Company
White Lion Brewing
