AMHERST — The Amherst Survival Center will once again host its fifth annual Hike for Hunger fundraiser all through the month of October, inviting participants to hike when and where they like all month in an effort to raise money for the center.
People can register as an individual or as part of a team and set their own hiking and fundraising goals and head out on trails wherever and whenever they’d like to. Meanwhile participants will be inviting family and friends to support their efforts through a donation.
“Hike for Hunger is an opportunity to enjoy the beautiful fall foliage while ensuring our neighbors have access to nutritious food by raising money through this community fundraiser,” said the Survival Center in a statement.
Participants will have a chance to earn Hike for Hunger swag and prizes in categories such as top fundraiser, top fundraising team, most miles walked/hiked and most donors. Prizes will include tickets to UMass sporting events, overnight stays at the Inn on Boltwood, tickets to shows at the Drake, ice cream at Herrell’s and more.
Registration can be found at www.amherstsurvival.org/hikeforhunger and will remain open throughout the month of October. Registration cost $25 and those who register by Oct. 1 can receive a 2024 Hike for Hunger T-shirt.
Starting during the COVID-19 pandemic as a way to still have a fundraiser during quarantine, Hike for Hunger has maintained as one of the Survival Center’s biggest events in raising funds for their mission of providing food to neighbors.
“We weren’t able to gather inside for the fundraiser we had previously had in the fall so we were really trying to figure out a way to build community support in a way where people could be physically separated and outside,” said Survival Center Executive Director Lev BenEzra on how the fundraiser started. “It has been amazing to see it evolve and continue to support the center’s growth. We don’t have those pandemic limitations anymore, but this event has really continued to be a fabulous way to engage so many people in our community.”
BenEzra said the Survival Center has seen firsthand the impacts of food, housing and other necessities far outpacing the wages for many, as it has resulted in the center now currently serving 60% more people every month through their food pantry than they did during their highest peaks of the pandemic. She added this reality makes any support through a fundraiser like Hike for Hunger crucial in assisting the Survival Center in maintaining their mission.
“Our goal is to make healthy food accessible to all who need it, by offering free groceries onsite and via home delivery, by providing prepared meals here and to-go, providing more fresh produce, milk and eggs each month, and ensuring we have lots of variety for people to choose from to meet their family’s needs,” BenEzra said. “Participating in Hike for Hunger is one way we can all do something to make sure our neighbors have access to the food and nutrition they need.”
Proceeds from the event support the Amherst Survival Center’s food and nutrition programs including the food pantry (onsite, curbside pick-up and delivery), community meals and daily produce distribution. In the last fiscal year, the Survival Center has provided 1.6 million meals — prepared and groceries — to 11,000 people, far outpacing previous years.
Hike for Hunger is supported by 12 local sponsors, including Amherst College and Cowl’s Building Supply. BenEzra thanked the two leading sponsors who will also be sponsoring two optional group hikes during the month for a second year in a row for those participating in the fundraiser.
The group hikes will be led by folks from Kestrel Land Trust with the first coming on Saturday, Oct. 5 at the Silvio O. Conte Nature Trail and the second coming on Saturday, Oct. 26 on a section of the Robert Frost Trail. Group hikes have a limited number of slots and require advance sign up via the Hike for Hunger website.
“We’re incredibly fortunate to have such outstanding business partners, both for this event and all year round,” said BenEzra. “Their support amplifies the impact of this event, allowing us to provide more food to more people.”
Amherst College President Michael Elliot said the college was proud to support the Survival Center and the spirit of community it represents.
“We love that the Hike for Hunger is an invitation to get out and enjoy our beautiful surroundings while raising funds to ensure that our neighbors have access to food,” said Elliot.
Cowls Building Supply Operations Manager Andy Haase called it an honor to be a sponsor on the fundraiser.
“It embodies our shared commitment to alleviating hunger and promoting community,” said Haase.
For more information, to register to hike, or to make a contribution visit www.amherstsurvival.org/hikeforhunger.
BenEzra added she hopes the fundraiser can continue its growth and this year will be a record setting year for the Survival Center both in funds raised and in local participation.
“One of the things that I really love about this fundraiser in particular is that we often talk at the Amherst Survival Center about just the incredible bounty that exists locally as far as food,” BenEzra said. “We have such an amazing wealth of local farmers, and food culture, and people who are interested in food and that has really served as a platform along with the incredible generosity of our community to be able to meet the need. And Hike for Huger kind of takes advantage of this other amazing bounty that we have in Western Massachusetts, which is such incredible, beautiful outdoor spaces.”
