Many of residents are struggling to afford food. In our community there are programs that offer free food and meals, our schools offer free lunches for our children, and the SNAP program gives us extra funds every month to use to purchase food.
The following are programs that provide free groceries and/or free meals to residents of Amherst, Pelham and Granby.
This table does not include free school meals which are available to eligible families in all towns. Please check with the nurse or principal in your school for more information.
You may be eligible for SNAP (also known as food stamps). The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has skilled volunteers available to help you complete the SNAP application, submit it, and if needed appeal any decision. You’re not alone.
Some of the programs that offer groceries now deliver or offer a curbside pick up option. More information is on their specific website or by calling them.
Please reach out to my office if we can be of any assistance. E-mail me at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or call (413) 335-1362.
FREE FOOD FOR KIDS THIS SUMMER WITH SUMMER EATS!
Find a Summer Eats Site Where All Kids + Teens Eat Free! Summer Eats is a totally free-of-charge program that provides free meals to all kids and teens, ages 18 and under, at locations all across Massachusetts during the summer months, no paperwork required.
Locations in the Town of Amherst in the summer 2022 include: Village Park, Olympia Oaks, N. Square, Mill River Recreation Area, Butternut Farms, Renew, Rolling Green & Colonial Village.
Information on this program and its locations here: https://www.projectbread.org/summer-eats-program
All of these programs provide services for FREE and rely on donations of funds and volunteers.
| ORGANIZATION | CONTACT INFORMATION | KIND OF ASSISTANCE |
| Amherst Senior Center for Amherst & Pelham residents | (413) 259-3164 Bangs Community Center | Brown bag distribution Community meal (lunch) |
| Amherst Survival Center for Amherst, Granby and Pelham residents | (413) 549-3968 Directions | Groceries, fresh milk, diapers, personal care items from its Food Pantry, Daily fresh fruits & vegetables Lunch: M/T/Th/F Senior Mobile Pantry – groceries Monthly Mobile Distribution |
| First Baptist Church (Amherst) for anyone | Directions | Weekly groceries from its Food Pantry |
| Food Bank of Western Massachusetts for anyone | Help with SNAP (food stamps) Mobile Food Bank Brown bag (food) for seniors | SNAP assistance fresh vegetables and fruits |
| Granby Senior Center for Granby residents | Directions | Groceries at food pantry Lunch |
| Granby To Go for Granby residents | (413) 467-7104 X5200 Directions | Granby school-based food pantry |
| Neighbors Helping Neighbors Food Pantry for Granby residents | (413) 437-7593 Directions | Groceries from food pantry |
| Not Bread Alone (Amherst) for anyone | First Church, Amherst | Community meal 3 times/week prepared by volunteers (Wed/Sat/Sun) |
Affordable vegetables and fruit are available at community mobile markets that are scheduled in four convenient locations across Amherst every week thru the month of October. Sponsored by the Amherst Mobile Market, you can see their schedule here.