AMHERST — Hike for Hunger, a fundraiser being held for the fifth time, is the the Amherst Survival Center’s major event for Hunger Action Month, underway throughout September.
Beginning this week, people are encouraged to register their hikes, paying a $25 registration fee, and then take their journeys on local trails during fall foliage season in October.
The Amherst Survival Center is continuing to see demand for its programs, last year providing 1.6 million meals to nearly 11,000 people in Hampshire and Franklin counties, according toKelley Jewell, the center’s development manager. The food pantry is also serving 61% more people each month than during the peaks of the COVID pandemic, and more than double the number of people served in 2019, Jewell said.
In addition to making financial gifts, people are welcome to provide food donations, volunteer, run food drives and sign up for a monthly e-newsletter.
Money collected goes toward buying healthy and culturally appropriate foods for the food pantry and community meals. Throughout September, the first 30 people who offer new or increased sustaining donations will be matched by $100 donations from another donor.
For specific food items, the most in need are brown rice, cereal and pasta, which can be brought directly to the center, 138 Sunderland Road, or placed in donation bins set up at the Stop & Shop and Whole Foods supermarkets in Hadley.
A celebration of African American culture takes place on Sunday as 80 Acres puts on the Black Roots Folk Festival from noon to 6 p.m. on the Town Common.
Local organizations will be set up at the event, which will include performances, cultural crafts and local food vendors. Among those performing are the Amherst Area Gospel Choir, Back in Time, Aimee Salmon, Lost Tribe and Nancy Tolson, who will be doing storytelling.
DJ Cancer, DJ Mikey Don, Jazz Quintet. Kamal Peters and Maria del Carmen will also be on hand.
In case of rain, the festival will move to the middle school.
All U.S. military veterans, their family members or caregivers or survivors, are invited to a free event being put on by the Central Hampshire Veterans Services’ District at the Hadley Senior Center, 46 Middle St., on Monday from 4 to 6 p.m.
Representatives from several organizations will be set up to explain benefits and services to which elderly veterans and their family members may be entitled.
“More and more senior veterans are seeking our help, and we have an obligation to provide them with the information they need to make the right decisions regarding their health and well-being,” said Steve Connor, director of the Central Hampshire Veterans’ Services District.
Participants are asked to RSVP by calling 413-587-1299 or emailing vetadmin@northamptonma.gov.
Amherst is seeking applicants to serve as the town’s planning director, with Planning Director Christine Brestrup retiring this fall.
Assistant Town Manager David Ziomek said the vibrancy of Amherst as a college town, the progressive local mindse,t and creative public and private projects taking place should make the post attractive to potential candidates.
The next five to seven years will also include renewal of the town’s master plan, municipal construction projects including the elementary school, continued downtown revitalization, and both affordable and market-rate housing developments.
“We’re interested in qualified candidates from around the region and beyond,” Ziomek said.
An Amherst native is expected to earn a seat in the Massachusetts House of Representatives at the November election.
At Tuesday’s state primary, Hadley Luddy, D-Orleans, won an uncontested election to serve as the Fourth Barnstable District’s representative.
Luddy, a 1988 graduate of Amherst Regional High School who has served as CEO of the Homeless Prevention Council, is not facing a challenger in the Cape Cod district this fall.
Singer-songwriter Pete Nelson performs at First Church, 165 Main St., on Saturday at 7 p.m. at the monthly Song & Story Swap.
The swap is in its 27th year and sponsored by the Pioneer Valley Folklore Society of Western Massachusetts.
For more information, contact Paul Kaplan at 413-687-5002.
MONDAY: Town Council, 6:30 p.m., Town Room, Town Hall.
