The Paulist Center Steps Up for Project Bread’s Annual Walk for Hunger

On May 5, The Paulist Center: Home of the Wednesday Night Supper Club will be among over 3,500 participants to lace up for Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger. For the 56th consecutive year, the Boston-based nonprofit will raise money to support statewide food security. As participants in Project Bread’s Commonwealth Program for the 6th year, 60% of all funds they raise will support their own hunger relief programs, with the remaining 40% applied to Project Bread’s statewide food security effort. Since 2019, Project Bread has awarded nearly $150,000 to The Paulist Center.

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 The Paulist Center: Home of the Wednesday Night Supper Club 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 Paulist Center Walk team understands how we need to work together for statewide food security because our community is what makes us stronger.”

The Paulist Center is an inclusive Catholic community that welcomes all, fosters healing, and acts for justice. In the 1960’s, the group started a tradition of the “Wednesday Night Supper Club” to feed homeless and hungry people. Recognizing a need to fund this important new outreach ministry, the Paulist Center Community founded the nation’s first community pledge walk, now known as Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger. Today, the tradition continues as the Wednesday Night Supper Club at the Paulist Center serves 140-160 hot meals to guests in downtown Boston every Wednesday night. The Wednesday Night Supper Club's Walk team of up to 50 participants aims to collectively raise $50,000 to support Project Bread and to purchase food and supper supplies.

“The Walk for Hunger was started at the Paulist Center over 50 years ago and we have participated every year since raising thousands of dollars and helped to promote the statewide food security nonprofit’s anti-hunger efforts,” says Mares Beauvais, Supper Team Leader at The Paulist Center. “Participating in the Walk for Hunger is how we sustain our operations – and we love the community aspect of the event. It gives us an opportunity to gather in a different group setting and meet our neighbors.”

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 The Paulist Center Commonwealth team at give.projectbread.org/team/562353. 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 The Paulist Center

An Inclusive Catholic Community that welcomes all, fosters healing, and acts for justice. The Paulist Center accepts and welcomes you wherever you are on your faith journey. Inclusive Catholic Church. For more information, visit: www.paulistcenter.org.

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