A regional resource providing
food, clothing and community
for people in need.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are you?  MAP

The ASC is a little over two miles north of the Amherst Common. Or, if you are coming by car from the vicinity of Hadley, take Route 9 east to Route 116 north (near Staples). At the first light turn right onto Meadow Street. Go almost half a mile, then turn left onto North Pleasant St. Before the fork in the road go left into our parking lot near the children’s play yard. We are in the basement of the brick building and our entrance is on the south side of the building.

These buses stop near the ASC:
Sunderland / South Amherst #31 schedule
South Deerfield / UMass #46 schedule
Other schedules

2. What services do you provide?

We provide not only food and clothing but community, companionship, and relief from isolation that too often plagues our elderly, disabled, poor, and people in transition.

The food pantry offers once a month food boxes for people striving to make ends meet; a free store for clothing, donated by the community; a noon meal which usually includes high protein vegetarian as well as meat dishes; daily distribution of day old bread, fruit and vegetables. These services are on weekdays, except Wednesday. See home for hours. We also provide an opportunity for people of all ability levels and backgrounds to volunteer.

3. How did you start?

The Amherst Survival Center was started in 1976 as a center for people who are unable to make ends meet. A welfare mother named Jane Holappa had a vision and determination, and what you see today is what has grown out of that dream.

4. What is your mission?

Our basic mission is to provide a place where the vast surplus wealth of our community can be harnessed, harvested, and recycled into the hands of those who need it most. More

5. How do I volunteer?

Everyone is welcome to volunteer, regardless of ability levels or background. We are always looking for new volunteers to sort clothing, prepare lunch, pick up food donations, enter data, or do one of the regularly scheduled jobs or help with an unexpected need. People with special skills such as computer proficiency, grant-writing, events organizing and carpentry are always encouraged to volunteer. Those with strong backs and/or moving vehicles(light trucks, vans, etc.) are also needed. Are you interested in helping out by lending your talents? We want to hear from you. To talk about volunteering individually or with a group, please call our Assistant Director, Dennis, at 549-3968, Extension 205.

6. What does ASC need most?

Volunteers, High Protein Food, Fundraising.
Donations of Goods, Services, & Money.

7. What do I need to bring with me?

8. What should I donate or NOT donate?

PLEASE BRING DONATIONS during our administrative hours. Tax receipts can be provided.
AFTER-HOURS DONATIONS of clothing may be put in the blue bin on the north side of the building.
PLEASE never leave anything on the ground OUTSIDE the center's building.

• ASC is not taking used toys until further notice due to the recalls.
• Packaged food that has been opened
• Mattresses
• Clothing that is ripped, stained, or unusable
• Appliances that are in need of repair
  
• Car seats

 9. Do you distribute furniture?

We have a community bulletin board that lists large items. For example, folks who need a bed post this on our board and call in regularly to see if we have located their wanted item. Anyone who has furniture to donate simply lists it on our bulletin board and a match is soon made. Let us know what you need. The annual Trash to Treasures event in early September is a fundraiser selling donated furniture at reasonable prices. The location is the Amherst Town Common.

10. What other projects have you supported?

When, and only when, we have surplus, we donate to support local agencies within our community. In the past we have been able to send pants to homeless shelters and out of season shoes to Nicaragua following the hurricane Mitch aftermath. If you have a special request, you are welcome to sign up for this program. Again, items are available on a surplus basis only.