Hello and welcome!
We’re banding together to Give Hunger the Boot! Hike for Hunger is a fun, monthlong opportunity to explore outdoor spaces while raising funds for the Amherst Survival Center to ensure our neighbors have access to food. You can make a tangible impact and help raise vital funding by registering to hike or by supporting your favorite hiker with a donation!
How it works:
- REGISTER NOW as an individual or team and set your personal hiking goal.
- Once registered, you’ll receive your own fundraising page—complete with templates and tools—to collect donations from friends and family.
- From October 1–31, hit the trails wherever you’d like, whenever you’d like—solo, with family, friends, or even your fur friends! You can also join us on optional group hikes.
Every step you take and every dollar you raise goes directly toward providing food for our neighbors.
Why it matters:
Last year, Hike for Hunger helped us provide 1.5 million meals—both prepared meals and groceries—to nearly 11,000 community members. With the challenges ahead, your support ensures no neighbor is left behind.
Registration details:
- $25 donation to register
- Register by October 1st to receive a complimentary Hike for Hunger t-shirt
- No fundraising minimum, but fundraising is encouraged—with exciting prizes for top fundraisers!
Join us this October to hike, give, and ensure our neighbors have the food they need. Together, we can Give Hunger the Boot!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I participate?
- Starting September 1st, register as an individual or as part of a team. The registration fee is $25. Hikers who register by Oct 1st can receive a complimentary 2025 Hike for Hunger t-shirt. 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! 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 might share your pictures on Facebook and Instagram!
Can I win prizes?
Of course! Everything is a little more fun with prizes! For starters, all hikers who register by October 1st can receive a complimentary Hike for Hunger t-shirt! Hikers who raise $300 or more will receive their choice of a Hike for Hunger beanie, baseball cap, water bottle, or tote!
Prizes will also 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 below!
The winning house of our Greek Life Challenge is awarded the Perpetual Hike for Hunger Cup, and bragging rights for one year.
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 t-shirt. If you would like to participate as a group (class, student org, youth group, etc.), please contact 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! For ideas, check out these great resources provided by Kestrel Land Trust (below)
Can my workplace sponsor Hike for Hunger?
Yes! Sponsorship opportunities are available for any business that wants to support the event. Contact development@amherstsurvival.org
GROUP HIKES
Optional and fun! Looking to learn a new trail or meet new friends? If you’re registered for Hike for Hunger, then you can sign up to join us on a free group hike!
Kestrel Land Trust will host two group hikes this year!
- Mt Norwottuck, Amherst – Moderate/Difficult hike on Sat, Oct 4th, 9-11am – led by Marilyn Castriotta
- Sweet Alice Conservation Area, Amherst – Easy hike on Sat, Oct 25th, 9-11am – led by Ari Henry
Advanced sign-up is required for all group hikes.
PRIZES
Make your hikes 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. PLUS, if you raise $300 or more, you’ll get your choice of a cool prize: a Hike for Hunger water bottle, baseball cap, tote bag, or beanie! Not to mention the Perpetual Cup awarded to the winners of our Greek Life Challenge
Prize Categories
Most Money Raised!
A $150 gift card to NiteOwl Tattoo and a Mushroom Growing Kit from Mycoterra Farm!
Most Donors!
2 tickets to a Shakespeare and Company play of your choice and a photoshoot with Amherst’s own Isabella Dellolio!
Most Miles Hiked!
3 Variety Packs of Auntie Elsie’s Oatmeal Cookies (9 Bags Total!) and a $20 gift card to Richardson’s Candy
Most Money Raised as a Team!
6 day passes to Central Rock Gym and tickets to a UMass sporting event (details to come!)
Most Donors as a Team
4 passes to Mass MoCA
SPONSORS
