American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry Steps Up for Walk for Hunger

On May 5, the American Red Cross-Boston Food Pantry (ARC-BFP) 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 Boston-based Red Cross program 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 over $2,700 to ARC-BFP.

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 American Red Cross-Boston Food Pantry 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 American Red Cross-Boston Food Pantry Walk team understands how we need to work together for statewide food security because our community is what makes us stronger.”

ARC-BFP works to prevent and alleviate human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors. Programs serve BIPOC, seniors, adults, children, students, health care patients, immigrants, homebound, people living with substance abuse disorder, people living with disabilities, and people living in homelessness and include: the onsite pantry itself, located at 1033 Massachusetts Avenue; mobile food distributions to select Boston Public Schools, the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, (and other Food Is Medicine Initiatives); the Home Delivery Program; senior citizen-focused programs; and an onsite Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Benefits Kiosk to apply for SNAP, Cash Benefits and Employment & Training Assistance Programs that staff administers. Ten staff members or more will lace up for the American Red Cross-Boston Food Pantry Walk with the goal of raising $1,000 for the cause.

“Food insecurity is a tremendous problem that calls for collaboration, community engagement, and collective action,” says David Andre, Director of the Boston Food Pantry. “We utilize the data that Project Bread shares in their research studies and distribute their FoodSource Hotline resources with people calling us in need of help with food when our pantry is not open. We look forward to coming together again in the presence of thousands of like-minded people in a beautiful outdoor environment on Walk day!”

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 American Red Cross-Boston Food Pantry’s Commonwealth team at give.projectbread.org/team/573527. 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 American Red Cross-Boston Food Pantry

The Boston Food Pantry is operated by the American Red Cross of Massachusetts. Since 1982, we’ve been on a mission to help alleviate hunger and food insecurity among low-income communities throughout the Boston area at our onsite food pantry and working with agency community partners at mobile distribution sites. Our priority is to be inclusive, inviting, and barrier-free. 75% of the food distributed is fresh produce and is given with sensitivity towards sustainability and the environment. Produce not fit for distribution is saved for composting at local farms. For more information, visit: https://www.redcross.org/local...

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