AMHERST — In 40 years, what started in a single mother’s home has grown into a survival center serving thousands.
The Amherst Survival Center held a special breakfast last Saturday to celebrate the four decades of community support. About 180 people came to celebrate and eat pancakes, fresh fruit, frittata, blueberry muffins and smoothies.
The survival center provides residents of Hampshire and Franklin Counties with food, healthcare and wellness, serving close to 6,000 people each year, according to the organization’s website.
The center is open to anyone and asks only two questions: What town are you from and would you like a ticket for fresh food distribution?
Twice a week, doctors are available to those who visit the center.
Home services such as a shower, lockers to store clothes and a washer and dryer.
Volunteer coordinator Carleen Basier said about 200-250 people volunteer at the center, making it possible for food, clothes and other resources to be available daily and for free.
“It’s amazing what our volunteers can do,” Basler said.
Program director Tracey Levy said the center is a community where everyone is there for one another. Even those without much money to spend can still contribute to the center, she said
Elise Kares, 68, regularly volunteers at the center. In the 90s, Kares found support at the Northampton Survival Center for her and her three children.
She would walk to the center everyday after her children got off the bus.
“I don’t know how I did it,” said Kares, who doesn’t have a car. “I don’t know how I managed in the winter.”
When she moved to Amherst, Kares said the local survival center became like a family to her.
“It’s a blessing,” she said. “It’s like a home to me.”
In the coming months, the center will host other anniversary events. On Wednesday, Bertucci’s in Amherst dedicated 15 percent of patron’s bills to the center. On Oct. 5, there will be a wine and painting evening with art educator Teri Magner.
Caitlin Ashworth can be reached at cashworth@gazettenet.com.