Amherst Survival Center received $15,000 in May 2019, directed toward supplementing a free clinic provided by medical volunteers and staff. This funding represents the seventh grant from the Foundation
totaling a $120,000 investment.
The Amherst Survival Center was founded in 1976 with a mission to connect residents of Hampshire and Franklin Counties with convenient access to free food, health care, clothing, household items and community, primarily thru volunteers. This is the only
organization of this kind in the area and serves over 6000 people annually by providing free, comprehensive basic needs programs that strengthen food security, health, community engagement, and social connectedness. Core programs at the center include
a Food Pantry, Personal Care Pantry, Community Kitchen (breakfast bar, daily hot lunch, weekly hot dinner), Community Free Store, Free Health Clinic, Fresh Food Distribution, and volunteer opportunities. In addition to the onsite pantry, delivery
service is provided to seniors who are unable to access the site. Homeless individuals are offered mail pick up, locker storage, and the use of shower facilities and a washer/dryer. Through collaboration with local partners additional services are
provided onsite; such as, access to housing case management, information and referral, access to public benefits such as SNAP, fuel assistance, and health insurance.
The free Clinic, established in 2008, increases access to care for the medically
underserved in Amherst and the surrounding communities. Services are provided by a volunteer medical team of four physicians and five nurses. For 11 years, the Clinic has provided exemplary free care, on a walk-in no appointment open access model,
and is known to successfully provide this care to this population. Its track record has been recognized by local health and human service providers, and we are a key community partner of the new community health center opened recently in Amherst.
Physical exams, sick visits, and school/sport physicals have been its hallmark. Previous and current funding from the Foundation supports the Clinic’s existence and smooth operation by funding the part time Clinic Coordinator position, purchasing
needed supplies, and the Health Needs Fund, which covers costs associated with Clinic-prescribed medications, equipment, referrals, co-pays, lab tests, and health-related transportation.
Additionally, our funding continues to support the ongoing Project HungeRX, an outreach campaign with local physicians and medical providers to support them to assess their patients for food insecurity,
and make referrals to local food and nutrition programs.
Project HungeRX news: Health
care systems turn to a ‘new’ old medicine: healthy food
