Volunteers are at the heart of everything we do.
Join the team of 700+ people annually (more than 250 every week!) that connect our neighbors to food, clothing, health care and community by volunteering at the Amherst Survival Center. Most people volunteer for one 3 hour shift each week for three months or more. 50% of our volunteers stay for years.
UPCOMING VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS are postponed until further notice.
Volunteer shifts available both before and during public hours. Extensive safety protocols in place. No orientation necessary. Please email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org for further information.
Volunteer as a group
Volunteer for a regular weekly shift
The Center’s operations rely on volunteers filling 263 weekly shifts! Volunteers are needed from 9am-3pm on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday; from 9am-7pm on Thursday.
Volunteers for our regular shifts complete a volunteer orientation and commit to volunteering for a minimum of 3 months.
Weekly volunteer roles include:
· Drive to local supermarkets and farms to pick up donated food (in your vehicle or ours)
· Prepare, serve, and clean up from meals
· Sort and display clothing in the community store
· Sort, shelve and distribute food in the Food Pantry and Fresh Food Distribution
· Welcome visitors at the Reception desk and provide information about the Center
· Volunteer your medical skills as a doctor or nurse in our Health Clinic
Volunteer for a monthly shift
We need experienced Food Pantry and Community Store volunteers to volunteer on the third Saturday of the month when we are open from 9:30-11:30. If you are interested, email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org and we will send you the sign up link!
Volunteer once a month to help at the Amherst Mobile Food Pantry. We are always looking for more (novice) speakers of Spanish and Mandarin! Email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org and we will send you the sign up link!
Bi-Monthly Opportunity: Become a Neighborhood Coordinator for the Neighborhood Food Project. Support your neighborhood in donating food regularly to the Amherst Survival Center. Learn more about the Neighborhood Food Project and sign up to become a Neighborhood Coordinator here.
Volunteer as a group
We love having groups volunteer! Groups can volunteer in a few ways:
· Adopt a morning – come in one morning a week to help set up the Center, bag bread and bagels, and get us ready for the day. Email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org
· Unload a truck – come once or every week to unload a truck of food and sort it onto our shelves. Email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org
· One time cleaning, grounds, or organizing project – we sometimes have special one time projects- reorganizing food storage, spring cleaning of the center, raking leaves, or packaging bundles of diapers. If you are interested in a one time project, let us know. Email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org
· Run a food or clothing drive – collect and deliver much needed donations of food and goods to the Center. Click here for more information about drives.
Coordinate a food or clothing drive
We rely on individuals and community groups running food and clothing drives throughout the year to keep our shelves stocked! Learn about running a drive and sign up here.
Become a Neighborhood Food Project Neighborhood Coordinator
Become a Neighborhood Coordinator for the Neighborhood Food Project. Support your neighborhood in donating food regularly to the Amherst Survival Center. Learn more about the Neighborhood Food Project and sign up to become a Neighborhood Coordinator here.
Ready to go? Want more information before you decide? Come to a Volunteer Orientation to learn more about volunteer roles and opportunities. There is no obligation- it’s fine to come and learn and then decide to hold off. But, if you’re ready to go, you’ll be able to sign up for your first shift at the end of orientation. See orientation dates on this page, on our event calendar or on our facebook page.
Have more questions before you sign up? Email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org.
Volunteer Frequently Asked Questions:
Can groups volunteer together?
YES! Learn more about our group opportunities.
How old do I need to be to volunteer?
Everyone age 13 and older is welcome to volunteer in a role that suits their skills and abilities.
Can parents volunteer with younger children?
YES! Parents can volunteer with young children by becoming Neighborhood Coordinators with the Neighborhood Food Project, can host drives, or can host a fundraiser like a bake sale or lemonade stand.
We also have some volunteer opportunities like diaper bricking or build-a-bag that are suitable for parents and young kids. Email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org for more info.
I have a disability. Can I volunteer?
We welcome volunteers with a wide range of physical and cognitive abilities, and have a wide range or roles suitable for many skill sets. Please let us know what types of tasks do or don’t work for you when you come to orientation, or email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org to learn more.
I am not allowed to work in the US. Can I still volunteer?
Absolutely!
Can I fulfill required service hours through Amherst Survival Center (i.e. required service hours for school, court, DCF, or SNAP)?
Absolutely. Just bring in the required paperwork when you come to orientation and we are happy to get you set up.
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