American Red Cross - Boston Food Pantry Laces Up for Walk for Hunger

BOSTON, Mass. – On May 4, American Red Cross - Boston Food Pantry will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. For the seventh consecutive year, the Boston-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 efforts.

The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s flagship community fundraiser, brings together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the state. The celebration is set for Sunday, May 4 at 9 a.m. and will feature family-friendly activities, food and entertainment. This year’s Walk will remain an accessible route on the fully paved sidewalks, allowing people with mobility devices, young children, and other needs to participate. ASL interpreters and multilingual staff will be present throughout the event.

“It is becoming more and more difficult for people to afford enough to eat,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread. “One in 5 families with kids are worried about where their next meal will come from. The Walk for Hunger is our opportunity to make an immediate difference in the lives of thousands of our neighbors. Organizations like American Red Cross Boston Food Pantry are what make The Walk for Hunger such a powerful event. Together, as a community, we’re making sure people can access food with dignity and choice each day.”
The goal of American Red Cross - Boston Food Pantry (ARC-BFP) is to raise more than $1,000 to support local hunger relief and food access efforts in Greater Boston. Based at 1033 Massachusetts Avenue, ARC-BFP is one of the region’s largest emergency food providers. It serves BIPOC communities, seniors, students, children, health care patients, immigrants, individuals living with disabilities or substance use disorders, the homebound, and those experiencing homelessness. Programs include an onsite food pantry, mobile food distributions to select Boston Public Schools, a satellite pantry in collaboration with NeighborHealth, and initiatives under the Food Is Medicine movement. The pantry also operates a home delivery program and offers focused outreach for seniors. In addition, an onsite Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) Benefits Kiosk helps individuals apply for SNAP, Cash Benefits, and Employment & Training Assistance with support from trained staff. Up to 15- ARC-BFP staff members will participate in the walk, joining Project Bread’s long-standing effort to end hunger in Massachusetts.
“As a longtime Commonwealth team, walking with Project Bread is a powerful reminder of what we can accomplish together,” said David Andre, Director of the American Red Cross – Boston Food Pantry. “It’s a privilege to walk beside thousands who are committed to ending hunger. Every step we take helps support the programs that so many of our neighbors rely on every day.”
Beginning in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the nation, money raised from The Walk for Hunger is critical to fund systemic change for hunger relief. Project Bread launched the joint-fundraising Commonwealth Program in 2019. In 2024, 39 nonprofits raised more than $228,000 to support their own programs for statewide food security.

Donate directly to American Red Cross - Boston Food Pantry’s Commonwealth fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/team/645120. To register as a participant for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit give.projectbread.org/walk. All individual walkers are encouraged to fundraise a minimum of $25 and teams $250. Participants who raise $500 or more are recognized as Heart & Sole walkers and receive access to personalized fundraising support, exclusive event gear, free breakfast on Walk Day, and invitations to exclusive 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 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. Seventy five percent 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/massachusetts/about-us/our-work/food-and-nutrition-programs.html.

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