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October 2019 E-NEWS
LEV'S CORNER
A week ago on Friday, I was pleased to represent all of you as an attendee at the Food as Public Health legislative forum in Greenfield. The event featured four amazing panels talking about food in health systems, food access, school food, and the role of agriculture. I was truly impressed by the breadth of expertise in the room, and loved learning more abut specific food programs. I was particularly inspired by Liz Wills-O'Gilvie of Gardening the Community in Springfield and the beautiful testimony of Emma Morgan, a Community Advocate and participant in the Healthy Incentives Program. I was delighted to see our elected officials from throughout the state here, discussing this critical issue (many thanks to Sen. Jo Comerford, Chair of the Joint Committee on Public Health). I heard about the great work of the Food Bank of Western MA, the incredible impact of the new community garden at Hampshire Heights apartment complex, and work that CISA is doing to support affordable farm shares for seniors.
What I also heard was a description of an amazing array of programs, many scraping to get by, and none of which are fully able to help an individual family meet their full nutritional needs for the month. Right now, while we have an excellent breadth of food related programs, we have a system that requires an individual person or family to spend an enormous amount of their time, energy, and mental and emotional bandwidth navigating a web of different services in order to meet their needs. During the Q&A, I urged our elected officials to consider the need for holistic approaches, strategies and policy change to enable families to easily access the food they need for their families. As a community, we need these energies on our school committees, pursuing education, in leadership
roles
at work, and organizing against violence and climate change. I will be speaking about our univ
ersal access service model next month at the Food Bank conference, and am excited to contin
u
e to work with our partners and neighbors to continue to grow our local network into a net that truly works for all of our local families.
Below you'll find some upcoming events and special activities happening in the Center this month.
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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CONGRATULATIONS LISA & JOCELYN!
The Amherst Chamber of Commerce awarded Lisa Solowiej & Jocelyn Potter with their A+ Community Service Award for their work launching and coordinating the ASC Neighborhood Food Project.
In their first year, Lisa & Jocelyn led the effort to collect
15,214 pounds of food & personal care items through the Neighborhood Food Project. Their efforts increased variety and quantity on our shelves, while creating meaningful service opportunities for area families and individuals, including many young kids!
We are so honored to partner with these two powerful women! Please join us in congratulating them on this recognition of their amazing service
. Want to really say thanks? Get involved with the
Neighborhood Food Project
! We are currently seeking new neighborhood coordinators, and that could be you.
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VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS
- October: Wednesday 10/2 at 1pm
- November: Wednesday 11/20 at 1pm
- December dates TBD
Don't want to wait? Need a different date? Contact Carleen!
Weekly shifts, monthly shifts, one-time and group opportunities.
For more information: contact Carleen Basler, Volunteer Coordinator:
click here, call 549-3968 x111, or email volunteer@amherstsurvival.org.
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Enjoy live music and a delicious lunch.
Music with Jacki
Music with Zack
StompBoxDuo
Friday, 25, 12-1 pm
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MONTHLY FOOT CLINIC
First Friday of the Month, 11AM-1:30PM
Oct 4, Nov 1, Dec 6
Registered foot nurse Debra Deane is providing foot care on the first Friday. Open to all. Sign ups required.
Call x102 or email info@amherstsurvival.org to reserve a time.
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MOVIN' TO THE MUSIC w/ ROBIN
Mondays Oct. 7 & 28 ~ 11:15AM-12:00PM
Join Robin for a fun, supportive movement and fitness experience. All abilities welcome!
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We are OPEN on Monday, October 14th (Veteran's Day).
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THURSDAYS, OCTOBER 17 & 24
, 2:00-4:30PM
SEWING REPAIR WORKSHOP
Now, 2 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, OCT 19 ~ 9:30AM-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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WEDNESDAY, OCT 23 ~ 1-2:30 PM
JOB FAIR!
All are welcome. Come speak with representatives from ~10 local employers, including Community Action Pioneer Valley, Comprehensive Home Care, Starbucks, United Parcel Service, Van Pool Transportation and more! All companies are looking to hire now. Entry and professional level.
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Join us on Friday, November 1st
for
our annual
Feed The Spirit Celebration!
This year's celebration will include an aerial and acrobatic performance by Nimble Arts, a delicious dinner catered by the Blue Heron, and our unique Fund-A-Need auction. Friday, 11/1/19, 6-9pm, Quonquont Farm, Whately.
Tickets are on sale now. All funds raised support our critical daily programs.
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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 month.
If we missed your group, please let us know!
THANK YOU...
- Community Breakfast Donors: UMass Dining, Lightlife Foods, Side Hill Farm, Trader Joe's, Our Family Farms, North Hadley Sugar Shack, and Letendre Farm for donating food and other staples for our breakfast. Their donations allowed us to prepare a delicious breakfast for more than 75 people
- Earth Foods for donating dishes for our community meals
- Follow Your Heart for donating 100 pounds of various vegan lunchmeats for our meals
- UMassFive College Federal Credit Union sponsored a full day of services at the Center! Five employees volunteered their time to assemble diaper allocations for the Food Pantry-a huge help following our recent diaper drive
- UMass Red Cross Club for volunteering with our adopt-a-morning program
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Amherst Survival Center | PO Box 9629, 138 Sunderland Road | North Amherst, MA 01059
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