On May 5, Food For Free will be among over 3,500 participants to lace up for Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger. For the 6th consecutive year, the Somerville-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 $27,834 to Food For Free.

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 Food For Free 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 Food For Free Walk team understands how we need to work together for statewide food security because our community is what makes us stronger.”

Food For Free is the leading food rescue and distribution nonprofit dedicated to providing reliable access to fresh and nutritious food to eastern Massachusetts communities. The organization rescues food that would otherwise go to waste and creates new distribution channels to reach underserved populations in 25 communities across the region. Additional programs include School Markets, offering free produce and shelf-stable items to students and families, Just Eats, which provides fresh produce and pantry staples to food programs, Healthy Eats, serving Cambridge seniors and people with disabilities by bringing healthy food that meets dietary preferences right to their doorsteps, and Heat-n-Eats, which takes prepared food from corporate, university, and hospital dining services and turns it into balanced, single-serving meals that are distributed to people who lack access to kitchens. Funds raised from the Walk for Hunger will help Food For Free fund its general operating and program costs, which includes food purchases, packaging, facilities, transportation, volunteer support, and more.

“We love being part of such a collaborative effort to fight food insecurity in our community and throughout Massachusetts,” says Eliza McDonough, Food For Free’s Manager of Events and Special Initiatives. “The need remains high across the Commonwealth. As one of the nation’s first food rescue programs, Food For Free now serves more than 150,000 Massachusetts residents who are food insecure and distributes 6.2 million pounds of nutritious fresh and prepared foods annually. Project Bread has been such an integral part of this shared mission, and we are honored to work alongside them to bring healthy and nutritious food to those in need.”

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 Food For Free’s Commonwealth team at give.projectbread.org/team/565094.  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 Food For Free

Food For Free is a Somerville-based non-profit organization dedicated to providing eastern Massachusetts with reliable access to fresh and nutritious food. Food For Free accomplishes its mission through food rescue, partnerships with schools, colleges, and community food programs, and our own direct service programs. In the last year, Food For Free distributed over 6.2 million pounds of nutritious food to over 25 communities throughout eastern Massachusetts. To learn more, visit us at www.foodforfree.org, or follow Food For Free on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @foodforfree.org.