Newton Food Pantry Laces Up for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger

NEWTON, Mass. – On May 1, the Newton Food Pantry will be among thousands of virtual participants to lace up for Project Bread’s 54th annual Walk for Hunger. For the fourth consecutive year, the Newton-based nonprofit will participate in the event through The Commonwealth Program which gives 60 percent of all funds raised by teams from likeminded organizations and agencies back to support their own hunger relief programs, with the remaining 40 percent applied to the statewide anti-hunger effort. To date, Project Bread has awarded $14,436 in grants to Newton Food Pantry.

Historically, the Walk for Hunger, the nation’s oldest continual pledge walk, takes place the first Sunday of May on the Boston Common. The 2022 fundraiser will be the third event to be done virtually and is expected to raise more than $1 million to support Project Bread’s work to increase food access for people of all ages in Massachusetts.

“Currently, 1 in 5 Massachusetts households with children is struggling without enough to eat and that number jumps dramatically for Black, brown, and immigrant households,” says Erin McAleer, Project Bread CEO. “Participating in the Walk for Hunger is one way in which residents can take action to fund school and community meal sites and Massachusetts’ only statewide hotline that connects residents with a range of food resources, including SNAP assistance. We can drive community change together.”

Money raised through the Walk is funding Project Bread’s work to ensure kids have reliable access to food, directly helping individuals and families, and advocating at the state and federal levels for expedited and efficient relief for those in need. Walk funds are also supporting community organizations, like Project Bread, that are helping residents to access food now and grants to ensure communities have the resources necessary to sustain and grow local anti-hunger programs. In 2021, 28 nonprofits participated in The Commonwealth Program and raised more than $165,000 to support their own work.

The Newton Food Pantry is the oldest and largest food pantry in Newton. Established in 1983, the nonprofit alleviates food insecurity for nearly 1,800 clients, or 770 unique households, through four primary programs. The pantry itself, located in the basement of Newton City Hall, offers bi-monthly choice shopping. Clients may make appointments in advance. Walk-ins are also welcome. Pre-bagged food deliveries are made to seven Newton Housing Authority complexes, as well as to medically homebound individuals. The Newton Food Pantry also maintains and helps stock the Newton Community freedge, a free refrigerator and dry pantry located on Watertown Street that provides anyone access to food and personal care items 24/7. Lastly, the organization partners with Lasell University to operate a dry pantry on campus for students and staff experience food insecurity.

On Walk day, the team of virtual participants will lace up to walk a 6.5-mile loop around the nonprofit’s service area. The organization aims to raise $3,000 to expand college programming and its purchase of culturally relevant food for its diverse clientele.

“The Walk for Hunger is so important for many reasons,” says Regina Wu, Newton Food Pantry President. “First, it raises much needed funds for the pantry and statewide partners. Second, mobilizing thousands of individuals helps raise awareness for the increased need in our communities, especially in affluent towns like Newton where hunger is often thought to be an invisible problem. Lastly, the Walk provides a fun activity that unites and benefits us all. Join us on May 1 if you are in Newton!”

This year’s event will include virtual programming with McAleer, elected officials, as well as walkers and volunteers posting and sharing their experiences along their neighborhood routes and why they are walking to help end hunger. Families with kids, individuals and teams of corporate employees are encouraged to find creative ways to connect virtually and fundraise together.

To register for the event and create a personal or team fundraising page for The Walk for Hunger or to make a donation, visit projectbread.org/walk or call (617) 723-5000.There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum to participate. 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 into Project Bread’s toll-free FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential assistance to connect with food resources, including SNAP benefits, in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. For more information, visit: 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.

About the Newton Food Pantry

Compassionately serving our neighbors since 1983. The Newton Food Pantry is the oldest and largest food pantry in the city. For over 35 years, the Newton Food Pantry’s committed volunteers have provided food and personal care items to residents of our city who experience food insecurity. Although Newton is viewed as an affluent suburb of Boston, 1-in-8 households survive on less than $26,000 in annual income. The Newton Food Pantry currently provides supplemental food to more than 1,800 Newton residents each month. Our clients can shop for a free 5-day supply of nutritionally balanced food twice per month. Those in need will find our shelves stocked with fresh produce, dairy, proteins, personal care items, and culturally-relevant foods. In order to continue to fulfill our mission to provide nutritionally balanced supplemental food to Newton residents experiencing food insecurity, we need and appreciate your support. To learn more about the Newton Food Pantry and to donate, please go to www.newtonfoodpantry.org.

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