Hike for Hunger is a monthlong opportunity to hit the trails while raising funds to ensure our neighbors have access to healthy food. Proceeds from Hike for Hunger go directly to the Amherst Survival Center's food and nutrition programs, which last year provided more than 1.6 million meals (prepared and groceries) to close to 11,000 people by way of:

• Free hot lunches in our sunny dining room served 4x weekly
• Free groceries from our Food Pantry, providing up to 14 days of food per person per month
• Free grocery delivery to over 1,000 people in Western Mass every month
• Additional free produce and baked items offered 4x weekly from outdoor Fresh Food Distribution.

The Amherst Survival Center is stretching to keep its shelves stocked as their food pantry is now serving 61% more people each month than during the highest peaks of the pandemic, and more than double the number of people they served in 2019. At the same time, the end of COVID grants and supply chain issues have reduced the food that the Center is able to get from the Food Bank, which means our food programs are buying more than ever to keep shelves stocked. Your support of Hike for Hunger makes it possible for the Amherst Survival Center to respond to the growing need and get more food to more people.

The Amherst Survival Center provides essential resources to meet basic needs, and has been serving as a welcoming and inclusive hub for close to five decades. Services include:

• Free hot lunches in the sunny dining room, served 4x weekly
• Free groceries from the Food Pantry, providing up to 14 days of food per person per month
• Free grocery delivery to over 1,000 people in Western Mass every month
• Free health clinic visits with great local doctors
• Free onsite mail boxes, lockers, and showers for people experiencing homelessness
• AND Free community events and workshops like musical performances and fitness classes

Since 2019, the Amherst Survival Center's kitchen has quadrupled its daily meal service, and the Food Pantry has tripled the amount of monthly food provided per individual. In the last year, the Center provided nearly 1.3 million meals—prepared and groceries—to close to 8,500 people.

For more information, visit www.amherstsurvival.org