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 and Granby.
This table does not include free school meals which are available to all families in all district schools in all towns in Massachusetts.
You may be eligible for SNAP (also known as food stamps). SNAP recipients also receive the benefits of the HIP program, where your SNAP benefits are doubled when used to purchase food at farmer’s markets and some farmer stands. Find HIP vendors that are convenient for you using this tool from the state.
The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts has skilled volunteers available to help you complete the SNAP application, submit it, track it, and if needed appeal any decision. You’re not alone.
Some of the programs that offer groceries continue to offer home delivery or curbside pick-up options. You can get more information on their specific website or by calling them.
Please reach out to my office if we can be of any help. E-mail me at mindy.domb@mahouse.gov or call (413) 335-1362.
Local HIP Locations here.
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 residents | (413) 259-3164 Bangs Community Center | Brown bag distribution: call the Senior Center for details (259-3060). Grab & Go Lunch: all Amherst residents age 60+ a free lunch each weekday. Please call Nina Levison 2 days in advance to sign up: 413-887-8147. Free fresh food distribution: Wednesdays 10:30am-12pm (Bangs Community Center) Highland Valley Elder Services (HVES)-Meals on Wheels: hot lunches delivered to homes by volunteers with approval by HVES case managers. Call HVES at 413-586-2000. |
| Amherst Survival Center for Amherst and Granby residents, and residents of other towns | (413) 549-3968 Directions | Food Pantry: Groceries, fresh milk, diapers: M/F 12-3pm, T/TH 12-7pm Pantry delivery varies depending on location. Fresh food distribution: Daily fresh fruits/vegetables/breads: M/F 12-3, T/TH 12-7pm Lunch: M/T/TH/F In dining room 12-2:30pm, To-go 12-3pm Monthly Mobile Distribution: First Wednesday of the month from 1pm to 2pm at the Boulders Apartments parking lot, south Amherst, 156 Brittany Dr.). Please bring your own bags! |
| First Baptist Church (Amherst) for anyone | Directions | Food Pantry: 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 Call for assistance and information on your eligibility for SNAP: 413-992-6204 Monthly Outdoor Food Distribution, in partnership with the Amherst Survival Center: The first Wednesday of the month from 1-2pm, at the Boulders Apartment Homes parking lot, located at 156 Brittany Drive in Amherst. Bring your own bag! The distribution includes a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, and meat (when available). Every household is eligible, no documentation needed! No residency or income requirements! |
| Granby Senior Center for Granby residents | Directions | Food Pantry: The Council on Aging Food Pantry is open M-F 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Brown bag program: contact the Center for more info Groceries at food pantry. Details here. Lunch: M, Wed, Thurs, Fri at 1 2noon. Please call the Council on Aging 24 hrs in advance to reserve a meal 413-467-3239 |
| 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 available to Granby residents. |
| Not Bread Alone (Amherst) for anyone | First Church, Amherst | Community meal: 3 times/week prepared by volunteers (Wed/Sat/Sun) |
All year on the first Wednesday of the month from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and the Amherst Survival Center host a mobile market at the Boulders (in south Amherst), where free vegetables and fruits are distributed. More information on the monthly mobile market here.