Odysseys Unlimited Raises Over $18,000 During 56th Walk for Hunger

NEWTON, Mass. – On May 5, Odysseys Unlimited, of Newton, laced up for Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger. They were among over 4,200 participants, both in-person and virtual, to walk the 3-mile loop around the Boston Common or in their own neighborhoods. The celebration aims to raise $1.3 million to support the leading statewide food security organization’s approach to permanently solve hunger in Massachusetts.

Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, which began in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the nation, celebrates and raises awareness of the nonprofit’s year-round efforts to fight hunger. The one-day event on the Boston Common featured 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 rely on the funds raised through the Walk for Hunger to make our work possible,” says Erin McAleer, Project Bread’s CEO. “We’ve made great strides—but there’s still too many people in Massachusetts who aren’t sure where their next meal is coming from. We have an ambitious goal of $1.3 million—and we’re still working to reach it. The Odysseys Unlimited Walk team understands how we need to work together for statewide food security because our community is what makes us stronger, and their support 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.

For more than 25 years, Odysseys Unlimited has focused on providing the best in affordable small group travel for groups of 12 to 24 guests. The company offers a full array of small group journeys around the world and serves the travel needs of more than 100 of America’s most prestigious nonprofit organizations. The organization believes in providing exceptional care to their customers and making a positive impact in the world, which is why it partners with Project Bread through The Walk for Huger and its Charitable Giving Committee, which distributes company funds to local, national, and international organizations. Odysseys Unlimited has supported Project Bread initiatives, such as upgrading the FoodSource Hotline phone system, which enabled the nonprofit to greatly expand its services during the pandemic. Currently, Odysseys Unlimited is also in the process of providing long-term support for Project Bread’s School Food Fellowship program, providing professional development training to school nutrition departments in recipe development and school meal program implementation. This is the 10th year that Odysseys Unlimited has participated in the Walk for Hunger as an employee-led Walk group, and they have raised over $85,000 in the last decade. This year, the 27-person team ran an in-office bake sale, led a raffle, and walked on the Boston Common to raise $18,920 so far towards their $20,000 goal for statewide food security.

“We want to help fund and give attention to Project Bread’s mission,” says Lisa Howlett, Senior Manager, Tour Operations at Odysseys Unlimited. “We believe that no one should go hungry, and that everyone should be able to access healthy, affordable food in a dignified manner. Each year, the excitement of Walk Day energizes our team, and seeing the community come together for The Walk for Hunger is so special and memorable to our staff and their families.”

This year’s 3-mile route on the Boston Common was accessible for all ages and ability levels. Walkers participated in family-friendly activities, including lawn games, face painting, arts and crafts, and more. Project Bread’s Chef Sherry Hughes opened the morning with a Grains & Greens recipe demonstration with WROR 105.7 station hosts Bob & LBF. Live performances by bands What She Said and Bad Bat kept Walkers entertained throughout the morning. Families learned about Project Bread’s role in the recently launched Make Hunger History coalition, a first-of-its-kind convening of policymakers, businesses, service providers, and people with lived experience to end hunger in Massachusetts permanently.

In keeping with the community-spirit of the event, the Walk also provided a platform for other organizations to fund the vital work they do for food security locally. In 2019, Project Bread launched the joint fundraising program, The Commonwealth, to uplift the work of community-based organizations. This year, 39 nonprofits participated in the program, raising more than $172,849 and counting.

Donate directly to the Odysseys Unlimited fundraiser at give.projectbread.org/team/562143. Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger aims to raise $1.3 million for statewide food security through the summer. Visit www.projectbread.org/walk to donate or start a personal fundraiser to support this mission.

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 Odysseys Unlimited

For more than 25 years, Odysseys Unlimited has focused on providing the best in affordable small group travel – just 12 to 24 guests, guaranteed. Odysseys Unlimited is committed to developing, marketing, and operating high-quality tours that will generate repeat travelers long into the future. The organization offers creatively planned small group tours at excellent value and with expert leadership, offering a more intimate, authentic, and memorable experience than is possible on conventional tours of 40 or more. For more information, visit: www.odysseys-unlimited.com.