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September 2019 E-NEWS
LEV'S CORNER
What makes a community? When I asked a number of people at the Amherst Survival Center how they define community I got some great answers.
- "A place where people know me."
- "People who are willing to help you out."
- "A place where we can talk honestly."
- "Eating together. All over the world, people break bread to build community. That's what we do every day."
- "Sharing. Caring. Standing up for each other."
We hope that you will join us on Saturday, 9/28 from 9:30-11 for our annual Community Breakfast. The ASC thrives thanks to the strength of our community. Come break bread, connect with an old friend, meet the volunteers who do your job on another day. Bring a neighbor who hasn't been to ASC. Sign up for a volunteer orientation. Get a tour. Learn about local legislative efforts to increase food security. The brief speaking program will be offered in English and Spanish.
I also want to share news of two recent staffing changes at the Amherst Survival Center.
In mid-August, we welcomed Edgar Cancel, our new Pantry Coordinator. Edgar brings many years of non-profit/human services experience including work with youth, participants in a men's resource center, and community led projects. He also brings extensive experience with community organizing around food justice, and a kind, compassionate presence that will be a great asset to the pantry. He is a native/fluent speaker of Spanish and we are thrilled to make the intake process smoother for our Spanish speaking shoppers.
¡Bienvenidos!
In August,Tracey Levy, a longtime and integral member of the ASC community, left her position as the Program Director. In her 12 years of service she offered resources, support, connection and laughter to many thousands of people who came to the Center. A huge thank you to Tracey for her many contributions, program developments, volunteers recruited, people supported, pool passes distributed, questions answered, food trucks unloaded, and listening ears offered over the years. We wish her all the best in her next adventures!
Thanks to the amazing team of staff, volunteers, guests and supporters, all programs are continuing as usual. The Center has been humming. A huge thank you to everyone who has pitched in and helped out!
We are hiring for the Program Director role. Information about the position, including application instructions will be available on our website this week.
--Lev Ben-Ezra
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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COMMUNITY BREAKFAST
Come one, come all! Free and open to the public.
Saturday, September 28th, 9:30-11am
Delicious food, great company. Learn about the Center and celebrate the Community that all of you are a part of!
Brief speaking program will be in English and Spanish.
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VOLUNTEER ORIENTATIONS
- Tuesday, Sept. 10th - 2:30-3:45pm
- Wednesday, Sept. 11th - 1:00-2:15 pm
- Thursday, Sept. 12th - 9:30-10:45 am
- Monday, Sept. 16th - 9:30-10:45 am
- Wednesday, Sept. 18th - 1:00-2:15 pm
- Thursday, Sept. 19th - 9:30-10:45 am
- Tuesday, Sept. 24th - 9:30-10:45 am
- Wednesday, Sept. 25th - 1:00-2:15 pm
- Friday, Sept. 27th - 9:30-10:45 am
"I look forward every week to my shift serving lunch. Whatever else is going on, I know it will make me happy to walk through the doors at ASC." --ASC Volunteer
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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We are CLOSED on Monday, September 2nd for Labor Day.
We will re-open for regular hours on Tuesday, Sept. 3rd.
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Enjoy live music and a delicious lunch.
Music with Jay
Friday, Sept. 13, 12-1 pm
Music with Zack
Friday, Sept. 20, 12-1 pm
Klezmer Music for the Jewish New Year
Friday, Sept. 27, 12-1 pm
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MONTHLY FOOT CLNIC
Sept. 6 ~ 11AM-1:30PM
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 Sept. 16 & 23 ~ 11:15AM-12:00PM
Join Robin for a fun, supportive movement and fitness experience. All abilities welcome!
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SATURDAY, SEPT. 21 ~ 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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THURSDAY, AUGUST 22
, 2:00-4:30PM
SEWING REPAIR WORKSHOP
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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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...
- Bramble Hill Farm & Queen's Greens for donating flats of beautiful heirloom tomatoes.
- Diaper Drive Partners: Encharter Insurance, GoBerry, Jones Group Realtors, The Toy Box, SWCA Environmental Consultants, Greenfield Savings Bank, TD Bank, Easthampton Savings Bank, the Jones Library, Munson Library, and MN Spear Memorial Library, and many other businesses throughout Hampshire County for collecting diapers for this year's United Way Diaper Drive.
- Globe, the manufacturer of LED bulbs, and Eversource for donating 8 cases of LED bulbs (576 total) for the Food Pantry to distribute to households. What a great initiative!
- PeoplesBank for sponsoring a full day of services at the Center and volunteering time to unload and sort food.
- Stop & Shop associates and customers for donating $1,398 through their Food for Friends campaign.
- Ware Walmart Supercenter and the Good360 Program for an amazing new partnership with the Center to donate several pallets of new items each week to our Community Store.
and... to all the amazing farms, filling our shelves with fresh produce to distribute:
- Amherst College Book and Plow Farm
- Astarte Farm
- Buffum Brook Farm
- Many Hands Farm
- Next Barn Over Farm
- Old Friends Farm
- Riverland Farm
- Simple Gifts Farm
- UMass Student Research Farm
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Amherst Survival Center | PO Box 9629, 138 Sunderland Road | North Amherst, MA 01059
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