The Neighborhood Food Project is a pilot neighborhood food collection program which began in the summer 2018 to collect donations of nonperishable food and personal care items for the Amherst Survival Center’s Food Pantry.
BACKGROUND
Based on the Ashland Food Project – Building Community, Sharing Food, a 9-year old organization located in Oregon, and with their generous sharing of best practices, the Neighborhood Food Project simultaneously builds community and feeds neighbors through the regular sharing and collection of food donations. The Neighborhood Food Project (NFP) is a door-to-door food collection system supporting the Amherst Survival Center Food Pantry and the individuals and families from 13 towns who use that program.
The Amherst Survival Center’s current Strategic Plan calls for the organization to increase the amount of food distributed thru the Center’s Food Pantry. In addition, families with young children often want to engage their kids in learning about and helping their communities.
The NFP helps to meet these goals and engages families with members of all ages.
HOW DOES THE NEIGHBORHOOD FOOD PROJECT WORK?
The Neighborhood Food Project is organized with volunteer “neighborhood coordinators” and neighborhood “food donors”.
Neighborhood Coordinators:
- Recruit ~10 “neighbors” to be food donors. (These “neighbors” can be your physical neighbors, your book club, your colleagues at work, or your dorm.)
- Pick up food donations every other month, on the third Saturday (of even months), from your food donors and bring the bags to the Amherst Survival Center.
When the food arrives at Amherst Survival Center, we have a team present to weigh, sort and organize it. Staying for this part is optional, and it is a lot of fun! Many neighborhood coordinators have found this to be a great way to engage their kids in a fun and meaningful service project.
Food Donors commit to donating at least one can a week, and place their donations in a special NFP orange bag. Every other month, their bag – filled with donations – is picked up by the neighborhood coordinator.
HOW CAN YOU SIGN UP?
Interested in becoming a Neighborhood Coordinator? Want to learn more? Simply fill out this quick interest form and we will be in touch! You can also email the Amherst Survival Center at neighborhoodfood@
PROJECT RESOURCES
Downloadable brochure, click here.
In our first 2018-2019 year, the amazing food donors and Neighborhood Coordinators donated, delivered, and sorted 15,214 pounds of food and personal care products. The food brought in is vital in its quantity (that’s 12,678 meals!) and adds variety and choice for our shoppers.
Thank you food donors and food coordinators for making this program such a success!
Pick-ups happen on the 3rd Saturday morning of even numbered months (February, April, June, August, October, December).