Project Bread Welcomes Selecca Bulgar-Medina

EAST BOSTON, Mass. – Over the last decade, Selecca Bulgar-Medina has worked to increase access to resources and opportunities for vulnerable communities. Putting her lobbying experience into practice, she has now entered the nonprofit sector as the new Director of Government Affairs at Project Bread, the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts with a radical approach to ending hunger.

Bulgar-Medina first learned of Project Bread while working at a lobbying firm during graduate school. She advocated for increased state funding for the nonprofit’s FoodSource Hotline, which connects residents to a range of nutrition resources from local food pantries to enrolling in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Today in her new role, she is leading the nonprofit’s efforts to assemble a diverse coalition of organizations, policymakers, and food security advocates to solve hunger in Massachusetts – permanently.

“Food is a basic human need - it transcends societal constructs like economic status - and everyone deserves to access food in a dignified way,” says Bulgar-Medina. “Project Bread’s three-pronged approach – working to advance hunger prevention policies while increasing access to nutrition resources and working with community partners to deliver those resources – is brilliant and effective. It is incredibly rewarding to be able to use my skill set to advance Project Bread’s mission to eradicate hunger in Massachusetts for good.”

The White House recently recognized Project Bread as a leading partner in their Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities. The Challenge, which was announced in March 2023 by the Biden-Harris Administration, is a nationwide call-to-action to stakeholders across all of society to make bold commitments to end hunger and reduce diet-related diseases by 2030—all while reducing disparities.

“Selecca brings vibrant energy and essential experience to her new role at a critical time in our work,” shares Jen Lemmerman, Chief Policy Officer at Project Bread. “With her sharp insight into the legislative process and strong relationships across this sector, Selecca is the best person to steward this collective effort as we chart a course to solve hunger in the Commonwealth through radical policy change and investments in our community.”

Prior to joining the Project Bread team, Bulgar-Medina was the Director of the Maine Small Business Coalition where she mobilized members to engage with lawmakers in support of policy reforms that benefit the small business community and its workforce. She started her career as an Executive Assistant at Smith, Ruddock & Hayes, before working as a Public Policy Specialist at Locke Lord Public Policy Group LLC., and a Policy Fellow with the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship, at the University of Chicago Law School. For the past two years, she has served on the Board of the Maine Women’s Lobby. She has also held several volunteer positions for nonprofits serving the LGBTQ community. She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology and a Master’s degree in Political Science from Northeastern University.

Individuals, families, businesses, and likeminded community organizations can join Bulgar-Medina in the fight against hunger during Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger. Set for Sunday, May 5, the one-day celebration will raise more than $1.3 million to support the nonprofit’s year-round anti-hunger efforts and policy work for systemic change.

###a name="_Hlk129614685">To register as a participant, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit . 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 anti-hunger 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.

###