PRESS RELEASE from Project Bread
BURLINGTON, Mass. – On May 5, People Helping People will be among over 3,500 participants to lace up for Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger. For the third consecutive year, the Burlington-based nonprofit will raise money to support statewide food security through the Commonwealth Program. The Commonwealth gives organizations addressing food insecurity 60% of all funds they raise to support their own hunger relief programs, with the remaining 40% applied to Project Bread’s statewide food security effort. To date, Project Bread has awarded $9,195 to People Helping People.
Beginning in 1969, as the first pledge walk in the nation, Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger brings together a diverse community dedicated to creating change. The one-day event is set for Sunday, May 5 at 9 a.m. on the Boston Common and will feature family-friendly activities, programming, and games. Project Bread works year-round across policy initiatives, programs, and hunger prevention measures to ensure food access for all children and families across the Commonwealth.
“We have made incredible strides against hunger, from the passage of permanent free school meals in Massachusetts to increasing access to SNAP for immigrants facing food insecurity,” says Erin McAleer, Project Bread’s CEO. “But hunger is still a pervasive problem in our state, with 1 in 6 households and 1 in 5 households with children currently facing food insecurity. The work People Helping People does reflects what the Walk is all about – continuing to step up each year to make sure our neighbors in need can access and afford food. The People Helping People Walk team understands how we need to work together for statewide food security because our community is what makes us stronger.”
People Helping People works to establish and sustain a community-wide effort to help meet the basic needs of residents in Burlington, serving around 350 people each month, including adults, children, and seniors who are facing ongoing or temporary financial insecurity. The nonprofit runs the Burlington Community Food Pantry; Holiday Programs, including Thanksgiving meals and their signature Wish Tree for the Holiday season campaign; and the Covenant for Basic Needs, an emergency fund. This year, the team of an expected 40 area residents will participate virtually in Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger by walking at the Burlington High School track with a goal to raise $6,000 for hunger relief. Funds raised from the Walk for Hunger will go toward People Helping People’s essential food assistance and outreach to families in need.
“Last year, it was heartwarming to see people of all ages, including little kids, walking together, enjoying the beautiful day we had, all in the name of helping to fight food insecurity in Massachusetts,” says Julie Lewis, People Helping People’s Senior Food Pantry Manager. “Funds raised through the Walk for Hunger will help us to purchase foods that aren’t typically donated to a pantry, such as milk and fresh produce. Throughout the year, Project Bread also helps to connect our clients with SNAP assistance and other resources. We can’t wait to see our friends and neighbors in town uniting for this important cause.”
Money raised through the Walk for Hunger is critical to Project Bread’s statewide work for systemic change through the levers of policy, prevention, and partnerships to ensure people of all ages have reliable access to healthy food. Project Bread launched the joint-fundraising Commonwealth Program in 2019. In 2023, 34 nonprofits raised more than $160,000 to support their own programs for statewide food security.
To register as a participant for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit projectbread.org/walk. Donate directly to People Helping People’s Commonwealth team at give.projectbread.org/team/562964. There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum to participate, although a $250 minimum goal is suggested. Participants who raise $500 or more are recognized as Heart & Sole walkers and receive access to personalized fundraising support, exclusive event gear and invitations to events.
People experiencing food insecurity should call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential, free assistance getting connected to a variety of food resources in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. Counselors can pre-screen families and help them to apply for SNAP. Learn more at www.projectbread.org/get-help.
About Project Bread
Project Bread is the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969 with the first Walk for Hunger, the nonprofit focuses on driving systemic change to ensure people of all ages have reliable access to healthy food. Project Bread works collaboratively across sectors to create innovative solutions to end hunger and improve lives across the Commonwealth. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.
About People Helping People
People Helping People works to establish and sustain a community-wide effort to help meet the basic needs of residents of Burlington, Mass. For more information, visit: www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org.
