Kids’ Summer Food Program
During the summer months, the Northampton Survival Center’s Kids’ Summer Food Program provides eligible children with free food packages to help feed them breakfast and lunch every weekday for ten weeks during summer vacation. Children living in any of the 18 communities in our service area who receive free or subsidized meals through their school are eligible to receive this food.
Every eligible child in the household can receive a pre-bagged package of food which includes dry milk, cereal, fruit, juice, peanut butter, jelly, mac & cheese, tuna, soup, and vegetables. Families pick up food for the Kids’ Summer Food Program during our usual pantry hours at the same time that they are getting their regular package of groceries. Both our Northampton and Goshen locations distribute Kids’ Summer Food Program packages.
Turkeys
During the month of November, the Northampton Survival Center distributes either a turkey or grocery store gift card to each client family when they come in for their regular package of groceries. We also try to have other traditional Thanksgiving items available such as potatoes, cranberry and squash.
Birthdays
Depending on availability, clients can pick up a cake or cake mix for their birthday when they pick up their regular package of groceries.
Cloth Bags
In an effort to use fewer plastic bags, the Northampton Survival Center is encouraging clients to bring re-usable cloth bags for packaging their groceries. Grocery store bags, backpacks, and duffle bags all help to save on plastic.
Personal Care Items
The Northampton Survival Center accepts donations of shampoo, soap, toothpaste or any other toiletries. If we have any of these items available, clients can choose one item each time they come in to pick up their regular package of groceries.
Clothing
The Northampton Survival Center receives regular donations of clothing. Clients can come in once a week to see the clothing items that are available and select what they need for their household.
Pet food
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society provides the Northampton Survival Center with cat and dog food for our clients’ pets. Clients can get one bag of dry food for each pet in their household when they pick up their regular package of groceries.