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FEBRUARY 2020 E-NEWS
LEV'S CORNER
Happy February! I'm not sure why this year more than others, but this Black History Month, I have been particularly struck by the huge swaths of history I did not learn throughout either my formal education or my own lifelong reading and learning. It feels a fitting time to highlight a not often told part of our Center's history.
Just before I started my position here, I was reading about the Amherst Survival Center and other Survival Centers, and I stumbled upon a clip of a movie and several articles about the Survival Programs launched in the
mid 60s
by the Black Panthers.
The Black Panthers, in communities across America, started free breakfast programs for hundreds of thousands of school children, free medical clinics in neighborhoods with no medical care, and community centers that provided free clothing, free food, helped people find jobs and housing and connecting them to the resources they needed to
survive.
I
don't know what particular knowledge Jane
Hallopa
had, or what influenced her when she opened her home to start the Amherst Survival Center in 1976, but this history was particularly salient and important to me for two reasons.
First, is that one symptom of institutional racism is that we don't learn about the incredible
contributions of people of color that lead to the incredible community institutions we have today, so I think it is important to honor that.
Second, is that it is clear that these services were provided both because they believed that everyone deserved access to the basic tools of survival, and also because they knew that as long as people were struggling to survive, they could not be full active members of a functioning democracy.
One of Mindy
Domb's
great initiatives as Executive Director of the Center was the Feed Democracy series. These talks, workshops, and office hours with elected officials
offer participants and volunteers the opportunity to engage in advocacy on the issues important to them. I'm glad to be continuing and building on this program, and also to reflect on the reality that we are in fact feeding democracy with every lunch and grocery shop we provide.
It is only when the members of our community have ready access to the resources needed to meet their basic needs that we, as a community, are able to benefit from all they have to offer.
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--Lev Ben-Ezra, Executive Director
Below you'll find upcoming events and special activities happening in the Center this month. You can find our full event calendar on our website as well.
Thank you for your continued support, partnership, and engagement. Please share this e-news with someone who may be interested in our programs.
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Welcome Jenn to your new role!
As you know, we have had lots of transition in our Food Pantry. As noted in last month's newsletter, Jenn Suprenant, former Pantry Volunteer and Substitute Coordinator, has stepped into an Interim Pantry Coordinator role, overseeing the Food Pantry until late spring/early summer. We plan to hire for the role in the Spring, and really look forward to the stability and know-how Jenn will be able to implement out of the gate for these next several months. Jenn is a very multi-talented woman, with experience ranging from running her own international travel business, to event planning to ushering the Center through a major IT transition this fall/winter. She really loves the Center, and particularly loves making sure people get what they need in the Pantry. We are so thrilled to have her in this role.
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VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS
- Wednesday 2/12, 1-2pm
- Friday 2/14, 9:30-10:30am
All orientation dates are noted on our online calendar, including any new dates as they are added.
Weekly shifts, monthly shifts, one-time and group opportunities.
For more information or to sign up: contact Lisa Solowiej,
click here, call 549-3968 x111, or email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org .
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Join us for Empty Bowls
Please join us for our 12th Annual
Empty
Bowls
event!
Wednesday, March 25, 4:00-8:00 PM
at our new location, the Inn on Boltwood!
Tickets are on sale now for $40 (with a keepsake
bowl
) or $30 (without a
bowl
). You select a beautiful
bowl
handcrafted by local potters and enjoy a seasonal meal of
soup
, bread, salad, and dessert donated by local restaurants. The keepsake
bowl
is yours to take home as a reminder of the
bowls
that go
empty
in western Massachusetts, as well as the inspiring work you are supporting, ending hunger in our community.
Buy your tickets today.
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Music with the Amherst Area Gospel Choir!
Friday, February 21st, 12-1pm
Join us for an inspiring concert in honor of Black History Month!
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New: ASSURANCE WIRELESS
Tuesdays Feb. 11, 18, 25 ~ 11AM-3PM
and continuing in March (March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31)
Assurance Wireless is here to provide free cell phones with a free service plan to income eligible participants.
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FUEL ASSISTANCE
Fridays Feb. 7, 14, 21, and 28, 11AM-1PM
and continuing in March (March 6, 13, 20, and 27)
A volunteer is available to help with Fuel Assistance enrollments. Advance signup is required. Call x102 or sign up in the front office.
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Enjoy live music and a delicious lunch.
Music with Jay
Amherst Area Gospel Choir
(see above)
Tunes@Noon: Celebrating Black History Month
with Gina Coleman (vocals), Ben Kohn (keyboards), Bob Weiner (drums)
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MONTHLY FOOT CLINIC
First Friday of the Month, 11AM-1:30PM
Registered foot nurse Debra Deane is providing foot care on the first Friday. Open to all. Sign ups required. Sign up in the front office, by calling
x102 or emailing info@amherstsurvival.org
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SEWING REPAIR WORKSHOP
Thursdays, Feb. 13 & 27 ~
2:00-4:30PM
Now, two times per month! Community members are welcome to bring in special projects (clothing repair, curtains, etc.), get expert guidance, and have access to sewing machines and most of the needed supplies.
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Saturday, Feb. 15 ~ 9:30-11:30AM
THE FOOD PANTRY & COMMUNITY STORE ARE OPEN!
3rd Saturday morning of the month.
Last shopper registered at 11:15AM
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Feed Democracy: Office Hours with Rep. Domb
Monday, Feb. 17 ~ 12:00-1:30PM
Join Rep. Mindy Domb for lunch from 12-12:30 or for individual office hours from 12:30-1:30. This is a great opportunity to share your ideas, perspectives or needs with your local elected official.
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MOVIN' TO THE MUSIC w/ ROBIN
Monday, Feb. 17 ~ 11:00AM-11:50AM
Join Robin for a fun, supportive movement and fitness experience. All abilities welcome!
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Wednesday, March 4th ~ 1:00-2:00PM
MOBILE FOOD PANTRY
Important, Location change: Unfortunately, SouthPoint Apartments isn't able to continue hosting the Mobile FoodBank. We are working to find a new South Amherst location. In the meantime, to avoid canceling the mobile, we will temporarily relocate it to the Amherst Survival Center, 138 Sunderland Rd., North Amherst, PVTA Bus #33.
All are welcome. Each household gets fresh produce (fruits and vegetables) plus extras, in addition to their shop at our onsite Food Pantry. P
lease bring your own bag(s).
The Mobile Food Program happens the first Wednesday of the month in partnership with the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
Volunteers are needed from 12-3pm. If you're interested, you can sign up here.
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SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We want to recognize the following businesses, organizations, and groups that have made a donation, conducted a drive, or volunteered their time in the past two months. If you frequent any of these businesses or know folks from these groups, please help us extend our appreciation!
If we missed your group, please let us know!
Your kindness and generosity is inspiring and deeply appreciated.
Thank You to
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- Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce board members for adopting a morning to assist with a variety of tasks before opening our doors
- Amherst Innovative Living held a food drive at their three properties
- Amherst-Pelham Regional School District elementary schools held food drives at their January orchestra concerts
- Ginger Garden, Oriental Flavor, and The Taste of Thai Cuisine for donating delicious dishes for our special Lunar New Year lunch
- Springfield College Women's Basketball Team for helping to unload a truck full of food from our weekly food bank runs all month
- UMassFive College Federal Credit Union for conducting a month-long winter coat and clothing drive
And, a special Thank You to Yoga Center Amherst, who has launched a new, ongoing partnership.
Yoga Center Amherst
is now donating 15% of their net revenue every month to the Amherst Survival Center! Their new 'Pay From the Heart' Pay-What-You-Can builds inclusivity for all. Thank you Yoga Center Amherst!
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Amherst Survival Center | PO Box 9629, 138 Sunderland Road | North Amherst, MA 01059
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