The Amherst Bulletin and The Republican both reported that the Survival Center faced allegations that some clients were treated better than others, and donations were distributed unequally among clients.
As a consequence, consultants were brought in to analyze the way resources of the Center were used and also to help find new ways to minimize waste and maximize the benefit to the community.
Pending the advice of consultants, the Survival Center's board members are expected to appoint a new director shortly. The Center's volunteers and staff hope that the new director will assist them to use their space and resources more efficiently. Kathryn Perry, a representative for the Survival Center said, "The Center needs sprucing up."
According to the Center's Web site, its mission is "to provide a welcoming community where families and individuals who are struggling to make ends meet can come for food and clothing, for companionship and relief from isolation, and also to share their material resources, information, concerns and frustrations." The statement continues, "No one is turned away. An equally important function of the Center is to help people move beyond a condition of need, to help them help themselves and each other."
With the reopening of its doors, the Amherst Survival Center hopes to live up to this mission by continuing to provide household goods and clothing to the community at no cost. The interior has been altered to make the Center look more inviting and sociable for the reopening of the Center.
One of the Center's goals is for patrons to socialize and enjoy themselves while looking through racks of clothes and browsing other available items. The board members want it to become a place where clients can come to socialize, avoid any isolation they may feel and build a better community. Hours have been slightly changed, with the Freestore now open from 12:30-3 p.m. on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays, and 12:30–7 p.m. on Thursdays.
The Center has relied heavily in past years on the community's help, and hopes for a similar response this year. In the past, it has accepted donations of clothing in fair to good condition.
The Center also collects food donations such as foods high in protein and packaged goods. In order to ensure that everyone visiting the Freestore has an equal chance of receiving donations, the Center follows a practice of having individuals leave donations at the back door.
The Survival Center depends on the community for volunteers to help staff the Freestore and sort donations. According to the Center, it welcomes anyone who would like to serve the community.
Although controversy surrounds the Survival Center, it looks to resume playing an important role in the Amherst area. Perry said, "Families rely on our services." Although the Center closed briefly, the Center's board members hope the Amherst Survival Center has changed for the better and will continue to serve the Amherst area for another 30 years.