Wednesday community breakfast in Amherst continues thanks to new collaboration

AMHERST — On Wednesdays, the only weekday when lunch is not served at the Amherst Survival Center in North Amherst, a breakfast is available at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst.

Since July 2014, when a partnership was first developed between Craig’s Doors: A Home Association, Inc. and the Unitarians, the expanded meetinghouse at 121 North Pleasant St. has hosted the breakfast, a regular part of ensuring that low-income and unhoused individuals have daily access to nutrition.

Volunteers have served the breakfast week in, week out, for more than 11 years, even during the height of the pandemic, when the meal was brought to the sidewalk outside the church.

Now, with significant funding challenges putting the Wednesday Community Breakfast in jeopardy, and as Craig’s Doors focuses on sheltering and other demands for its services, the meal is continuing through a just announced collaboration between the town’s Community Responders for Equity, Safety and Service, the church and the recently formed nonprofit Amherst Shelter Inc. / El Colibrí.

“This initiative is more than a meal, it’s about creating a safe, welcoming space where neighbors can connect and support one another,” said Camille Theriaque, CRESS director, in a statement. “It reflects our broader mission to build trust, reduce barriers and strengthen community engagement, ensuring Amherst remains a place where everyone feels cared for and included.”

While the Unitarians will explore longer term funding options, the breakfast is being paid for through a grant obtained by CRESS that is buying food, with responders attending the breakfasts to provide other support to the volunteers and community members.

The free breakfast runs from 8 to 10 a.m. Wednesdays, with 100 to 140 meals served each week. It is the only meal that day until the Not Bread Alone dinner is served at First Congregational Church on Main Street, which also has midday meals on both weekend days, and some holidays, including Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Previously, Craig’s Doors has provided the food, while the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst has supplied the venue, infrastructure and volunteers.

One of those who helps out each week is Carolyn Cave, co-president of the Unitarian Universalist Society of Amherst. Cave offers appreciation for the great partnership with Craig’s Doors.

“We look forward to a great relationship with CRESS and their professional team of responders who are regularly at the breakfast,” Cave said. “We intend to serve Wednesday Community Breakfast for many years to come and thank the town of Amherst for providing bridge funding to keep us going.”

Amherst Shelter, Inc. / El Colibrí, the recently established nonprofit agency, is working with a Wednesday Community Breakfast Task Force to help raise funds and prepare for new administrative responsibilities, partnerships that will enable the meal to provide nourishment, connection and hope to individuals.

Kevin Noonan, previously executive director of Craig’s Doors, is the president of the new nonprofit. Like others, he thanked Town Manager Paul Bockelman and CRESS, as well as the parishioners of St. Brigid’s Catholic Church, located across North Pleasant, for their contributions.

“We are excited and energized to keep the only free meals program available on Wednesday mornings operating,” said Noonan, who was instrumental in getting the breakfast started. “We also look forward to working more closely with a very professional team of CRESS responders.”

For more information about the Wednesday Community Breakfast and how to get involved, send email to breakfast@uusocietyamherst.org or go to uusocietyamherst.org/community-
breakfast.

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