We are pleased to announce that we have new food distribution sites starting Monday, April 6^th across Northampton.  Food will be available for all Northampton Survival Center clients and eligible new clients experiencing food insecurity.

click here for PDF

Nos complace informarles que tendremos nuevos puntos de distribución de alimentos a partir del lunes 6 de abril en Northampton. Se hará disponible la entrega de alimentos a clientes del Northampton Survival Center y a personas admisibles que estén pasando por un período de inseguridad alimentaria.

PDF con detalles completos

see details of our new food distribution system here.

We are so grateful to this loving community that is responding to this crisis with an outpouring of concern and generosity.  Here are some answers to the most common questions:

How can I help?  What can I buy you?

What we most need right now are financial donations – online or via the mail. We are rapidly building a new distribution system across the city and in the hilltowns to serve clients in 18 Hampshire County communities. Your financial donation affords us the most flexibility as we adapt to meet the need as it grows.

Please join us with a financial donation here.

Can I donate food or gift cards for you to distribute to clients?

Thank you for this question, but, as stated above, financial donations are preferred. We do not have staff available on site to accept donations of anything at this time.

My restaurant is closing and I’d like to donate food

First, our condolences that your business is being affected in this way, and we thank you for reaching out to help others given what you’re coping with.

Please send an email to Sarah to discuss your donation and how we might connect it to the programs we’re developing.

While operations in the building have been suspended, there are still ways for a small number of volunteers to help with our new methods of food distribution. If you are an existing volunteer who would like details on how to help, please reach out to Diane for more specifics.

If you would like to offer your services as a new volunteer at this time, please also feel free to email Diane Drohan, our Volunteer Coordinator, to express an interest.. Please feel free to be specific about your availability and skillset (heavy lifting, driving a truck, etc.) While you may not receive a reply email during this busy phase, we thank you for adding your name to this list.

IMPORTANTLY: Please be vigilant in keeping social distances and not volunteering for work if you or someone you’re in close contact with is sick in any way. We’ll be grateful for your help in not allowing germs to spread among us as we work together for our clients.

Can I volunteer from afar? 

Yes, if you are on social media and want to like and share our Facebook posts within your network, that helps us get our message out.  Staying in touch with us by social media also means you’ll know when our needs or our news changes over time.

Send us words of encouragement.  If you had a good experience at the Center or think we’re doing a good job, letting us know gives us a nice boost.

Below is a list of community resources you may find helpful:

• Congressman Jim McGovern’s office www.mcgovern.house.gov/
• www.foodbankwma.org for Brown Bag information, mobile pantries, or other food resources
•  www.Mass211.org
• Amherst Survival Center (with mobile pantry) https://amherstsurvival.org/
• Not Bread Alone https://chd.org/adult-services/community-based-programs/bread-alone/
• St. Francis Food Pantry https://networks.whyhunger.org/organization/view/14790 (call beforehand to confirm hours)
• Helping Hands Cupboard https://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsBUCC/
• Easthampton Community Center https://easthamptoncommunitycenter.org/programs/
• Easthampton Congregational Church: Food Cupboard https://www.easthamptonucc.org/missions-outreach/food-cupboard-oasis-kitchen/
• The Huntington Food Pantry https://www.pioneervalleyag.com/huntington-food-pantry
• Neighbors Helping Neighbors https://www.nhnfoodpantry.org/
• Community Cupboard Food Pantry (First Congregational Church) https://www.shcong.org/
• Hillside Village mobile pantry: https://hillsidefoodoutreach.org/
• Manna Soup Kitchen http://www.mannanorthampton.com/ 
• COVID-19 vídeo con recursos en español https://www.dropbox.com/s/xbyr0oucvapgl0j/FINAL_Spanish_covid_resource.mp4?dl=0
• COVID-19 resources in multiple different languages https://www.mghdisparitiessolutions.org/covid-19 
• https://www.look4help.org/

People in our community are reaching out in unprecedented numbers to offer support, sign up to volunteer, make donations, and make sure that our vulnerable clients are getting the help they need.  It’s a wonderful thing to see how much we can care for each other, even in the midst of a global crisis. Here are some quotes from volunteers and observers over recent weeks

• “I can’t tell you how different and good I felt after volunteering yesterday at the Northampton Survival Center. For the first time since the coronavirus havoc I spent more than 2 hours doing something that wasn’t about me. Together with another volunteer while breaking down the boxes that accumulated between 1-3 I was really struck by the huge amount of food that was given away… to clients who are making decisions more difficult than any I have to make I’m sure. Thank you for the opportunity to do something good in my community.” ~ a volunteer
• ” I have been concerned about the clients- and staff and volunteers. I value all of you who are carrying on to bring – more needed than ever – nourishment to the most vulnerable.” ~ a volunteer
• “Thanks for the wonderful work you all do, and for approaching our new, ever changing reality with such energy, determination and creativity.” ~ a community member looking to volunteer
• “I had such fun yesterday and felt helpful.  What a brilliant operation you have going!  When could you use my help again this week?” ~ a new volunteer
• “Superheroes in disguise and they appear to be enjoying themselves.” ~ a Google Review

While our building is closed, email is the most reliable way to reach us. Please use the contact form listed here or see the staff page for individual contact information.