Amherst Survival Center

Helping Neighbors in Need

FOOD PANTRY AND MOBILE FOOD PROGRAMS

AMHERST MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
SENIOR MOBILE NUTRITION PROGRAM
FOOD
PANTRY

Food Pantry

Food Pantry hours of operation:
Monday, Tuesday, Friday: 11am to 2:45pm
Thursday: 11am to 6:45pm
3rd Saturday of the month: 9:30am to 11:15

The Food Pantry is available to residents of Amherst, Belchertown, Deerfield, Granby, Hadley, Leverett, Pelham, Shutesbury, South Deerfield, South Hadley, Sunderland, Ware and Whately, and to those who are currently homeless.

The Food Pantry is free for people who have registered for its services. You can register and shop the same day. Food Pantry participants are able to shop for 5 days’ supply of groceries once per month, including fresh milk, meat, cheese, eggs, produce, grains, cereals, canned goods and personal care products. Volunteers stock the Pantry’s shelves, and assist participants.

fresh produce
Volunteer in the Pantry
Donate Food

Want to join the pantry? Here’s how to register your household:

The pantry is free for people who have registered for its services. Come during any of our open hours, and sign up in the pantry. You can register and shop the same day. Pantry participants are able to shop for 5 days’ supply of groceries once per month. Volunteers stock the Pantry’s shelves, and assist participants.

For shoppers riding the bus, walking or biking to the pantry, you may split your shop into 2 pickups in the same month to make it easier to take home.

Volunteer with box on head

You will need to provide proof of address for each member of the household. We do not require any ID or any proof of income.

  • Proof of address includes anything showing both name and address: a piece of mail, a letter from a landlord, a health card, report card, an ID, or a letter from another social service or benefits provider that has already verified your address (ie: Head Start, Fuel Assistance, social worker), see below.
  • For children under 18, if you do not have something that shows both name and address, it is also acceptable to provide documentation of their name (insurance card, birth certificate, school ID, etc.).
  • If you receive other benefits (eg. Head Start, Fuel Assistance, SNAP, Mass Health) for which you have already verified your address and household members, you may also provide a letter from that agency verifying the members of your household and address. If providing a letter: Ask your case manager or worker to complete a letter on agency letterhead with the statement “I have verified that the following members of the household (list all names) reside at the following address (list full address).” The letter must be signed and dated and include contact information for the person writing it.

When you enroll for the first time, and once each year, you will be asked to spend about 5-10 minutes answering questions about your family, food preferences and income. Your self-report of income is for statistical purposes only. There is no income cap to access the food pantry. If you need food, you are welcome!

If you have additional questions about the pantry or what counts as proof of address, please feel free to contact the Food Pantry Coordinator at pantry@amherstsurvival.org, 413-549-3968 x104.

Southpoint

Amherst Mobile Food Pantry:

The Amherst Survival Center is proud to be part of the network of mobile food programs in western Massachusetts as a result of our partnership with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. The program distributes free produce once a month on the first Wednesday of the month from 1pm to 2pm.

To pick up food, here’s what you need to know:

  • Pick up is on the first Wednesday of the month from 1-2pm.
  • The Mobile Food Program is being temporarily held at Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Rd. while we look for a new South Amherst Location (unfortunately, SouthPoint Apartments is no longer hosting it).
  • The distribution includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and meat (when available).
  • One distribution per household.
  • Every household is eligible, no documentation needed! No residency or income requirements!
  • Please bring your own bags.

Senior Mobile

Senior Mobile Nutrition Program

This program serves seniors from Amherst, Pelham and Belchertown. Participants select (“pre-order”) items from a shopping list of food choices. Volunteers assemble personalized grocery bags and deliver groceries once a month to senior apartment buildings, the Amherst Senior Center, or the Pelham Senior Center, or the Belchertown Senior Center for easy pick-up.

Delivery is 3rd Wednesday of the month.

Sign up for the program by contacting the Amherst Survival Center Food Pantry Coordinator at 413-549-3968 x104 or email pantry@amherstsurvival.org. You can also ask the staff at the Amherst, Pelham or Belchertown Senior Centers.

Food Bank Truck