2021 Annual Report

All of us in Massachusetts could have been overwhelmed by the current situation. Instead, this community, which I am proud to be part of, took action to create change. Change that has proven to reduce food insecurity—and that I am determined to see remain in effect, long after the pandemic is over.

I am inspired by the empathy and dedication you bring to our shared fight against hunger. Driven by your generosity in fiscal year 2021, Project Bread has been a constant source of support for individuals and families living without enough to eat in the face of this crisis.

Though some would like to believe the most troubling days of the pandemic are behind us, recovery is a long road yet to be traveled, especially for people of color who have continued to be disproportionately impacted by food insecurity. We will not stand to allow Massachusetts to regress, or to leave people behind in our recovery plan and policies—to slip back into being comfortable with 8% of its residents living with the worry of being unable to afford enough to eat. We have the opportunity to learn and grow from tragedy, and emerge with more equitable systems.

During the pandemic, SNAP and school meals—which we center our strategy around—proved to be the biggest supports for families. This validation pushed us even harder to lead on policy solutions to make these programs more accessible, promote them extensively through multi-channel awareness campaigns, and help individuals access them through compassionate direct service.

Together, we’ve proven this year that, without a doubt, policy change is simply the most impactful solution to address hunger. Federal nutrition programs work—you’ll see this throughout this report. As we continue to navigate through a global pandemic, we need to center equity, better understand barriers, and improve our systems so every person can meet their basic needs and have an equitable opportunity to lead a healthy life.
Dedicated supporters like you are the reason we can change the systems in our Commonwealth to better lives—and our shared future.  We value your unwavering commitment to ensuring our neighbors facing hunger have equitable access to food. We are aware that there is much work ahead, but with you as our partner, we can realize our mission to solve hunger—permanently.

Wishing you good health and a resilient spirit in the year to come.

Erin McAleer
President & CEO of Project Bread

Stephanie had been struggling to find work ever since she was laid off due to the pandemic. She worried constantly about having enough money to buy food for her daughter. She had been trying to get help but was feeling overwhelmed by all the information out there, until a postcard arrived in her mail that said “Can’t afford enough food? Find out if you are eligible for SNAP.” She called the number on the back; it was to Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline. When our counselor answered her call, the concern she heard in Stephanie’s voice was unmistakable. We screened her for SNAP. She was eligible! We helped Stephanie apply online while staying on the phone, and told her about free school meals her daughter’s school was providing. “I didn’t know anything about SNAP before this call. I’m most worried about my daughter, who just turned seven,” she shared. “Now I’m relieved that we will at least be able to afford our groceries.”

When unemployment, financial hardship, the pandemic, and other forces tried to keep Catherine down, the Milford mother of two always found a smile waiting for her when she arrived at school for meal pickup.

“It’s incredible how life can change in an instant and you go to being in a position of struggling to make ends meet and needing help. I always try to help others in need and it’s humbling to be on the other side now.”

Catherine was always in awe at the staff, who would brave all types of weather year-round, to have meals prepared, packed, and ready for pick-up each day for her and other families in her town. Knowing her children would have a good meal each day was one less thing Catherine had to worry about.

For Estrella, this help came at the right time. People stopped going into their offices to work, so her work cleaning offices was cut short. Being out of work sent her into a depression, and affording something to eat became a daily struggle. Her doctor referred her to the Flexible Services Program with MassHealth, a referral that came to our Nutrition Services Team. “An exceptionally wonderful women at Project Bread signed me up for SNAP. I had tried to in the past, but couldn’t figure it out and always worried I would be taking food away from children.” SNAP was only the start. For the next 9 months, Estrella worked with our counselor to replace her pots and pans which were old and rusty, and outfitted Estrellas kitchen with a new blender — an appliance she had never owned. She also received gift cards to her grocery store for the next nine months to purchase the nutritious foods she enjoys and was learning to cook in the cooking classes we provided. After six months in the Flexible Serivces Program, Estrella was food secure, “I have soups and vegetables I use for smoothies, I thank God for your program. I felt so incredibly supported.”