Amherst Survival Center

Amherst Survival Center

Amherst, MA

The Amherst Survival Center, a non-profit organization, provides free food, groceries, clothing, medical care, activities, and resources to residents in need from Amherst, Massachusetts and 11 neighboring communities. They also provide showers, lockers, and laundry for those experiencing homelessness. The organization, which is operated through volunteer efforts, had been housed for the last 34 years in the basement of a brick school. Through donations, the organization was able to build and move into a new, larger, and brighter facility.

Western Builders was brought in to lead the construction. The project including demolishing the existing Rooster’s Restaurant and barn that were located on the premises, and building a new 6,523 sf facility. The building was designed be as efficient and economical as possible, with skylights and many windows allowing the space to be illuminated mostly by natural light. Solar arrays located on the roof also assist with electric costs.

The new facility includes a commercial kitchen, bathrooms and showers, medical clinic, and dining hall, as well as dedicated rooms for the food pantry, clothing store, service providers, lectures and classes, and office. The Community Room where lunch is served features exposed trusses and a vaulted ceiling. Western Builders expressed concern about the room’s acoustics, and after researching numerous costly panel systems with acoustical contractors, finally settled on WB’s carpenters cost-efficiently installing Tectum Panels to the underside of the deck.

Since moving into the new larger building, which is nearly double its previous space, Amherst Survival Center has roughly doubled the number of people they serve – more than 4,000 people each year. They have been able to double the number of meals provided to 400 per week, expand programming, activities, and workshops offered, and continue to grow and develop to ensure that all in the community are able to survive and thrive.

Western Builders was humbled by the opportunity to serve Amherst Survival Center and the many dedicated men and women who comprise their organization.  We always take pride in the value our work adds to a community, whether that be to a college campus, a farmer’s cooperative, or business community; but in this case, it was that much more rewarding knowing the magnitude of the impact to the recipients.  Although not one of the largest projects Western Builders has ever completed, it has been one of the most rewarding.  Amherst Survival leadership and staff provided continual praise and inspiration to our workers and staff throughout construction. Their selfless nature and sincerity continue to keep Western Builders engaged with the center even to this day.