05/08/2024

Project Bread & Anti-Hunger Partners Launch Historic Make Hunger History Coalition

Project Bread

Community-led Solutions

What is the make hunger history?

Project Bread is the backbone organization for a groundbreaking initiative called Make Hunger History. Our mission is simple yet ambitious: to end hunger in Massachusetts once and for all.

The Make Hunger History Coalition is made up of policymakers, community leaders, philanthropists, business leaders, service providers and people with lived experience with food insecurity to transform the Commonwealth landscape, eradicating hunger through policy change, community engagement, and collective action.

Our mission will help all 6,985,000 Massachusetts residents to access affordable, nutritious food, and to thrive in their careers, their education, and their lives.

As Heard on Under The Radar

"A new group wants Mass. to be 'the first state to end hunger, permanently"

Representing the Make Hunger History Coalition, Project Bread Chief Policy Officer Jen Lemmerman and Andrew Morehouse, Executive Director of the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts join host Callie Crossley on her podcast, 'Under the Radar' to talk more about the origins of this groundbreaking initiative and what lies ahead.

Give a Listen

“When hunger is history, food will be accessible and equitable for everyone – and this goal is well within reach for us in the Commonwealth,” shares Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread. “We have the collective will and political strength as a state to achieve this mission. By listening to those who have experience with hunger and building a coalition of diverse stakeholders, we are poised to develop and execute an actionable plan that will change millions of lives across the state.”

Who is involved?

Helmed by Project Bread, the Make Hunger History Coalition launched in April 2024 with 14 organizations across Massachusetts, 4 advocates with lived experience pushing for change, and 7 policymakers committed to leading on legislative efforts.

Since launch, the Coalition has grown to include over 150 advocates and organizations ready for change!

Hunger has long-term implications for a person’s physical, mental, emotional, and financial well-being, and the vision of this work is to see Massachusetts residents flourish. The coalition will craft innovative policies, challenge stigmas, and build a united, grassroots movement for a healthier, more prosperous Commonwealth.

This fall, the Make Hunger History Coalition will release an action plan to clearly outline how we achieve this vision.

“As a mother who has experienced the challenges of food insecurity firsthand, I know the profound impact it has on families across Massachusetts. Ensuring universal access to school meals was a crucial step, but our work doesn’t end there," states Rebecca Wood, parent advocate and member of the Make Hunger History Coalition. "Serving on this coalition, for me, is about ensuring that no parent or child in our state ever has to face the uncertainty of where their next meal will come from. Together, we’re forging a path towards a future where hunger is a thing of the past.”

Background

The Commonwealth has long been a nationwide leader on anti-hunger initiatives. From being the only state to provide an offramp when emergency pandemic SNAP benefits ended nationwide, to ensuring all students receive free school meals permanently, Massachusetts has always made history as a pioneer in change-making movements. At the 2022 White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, only the second one to take place since 1969, CEO Erin McAleer attended with a large Massachusetts delegation following Congressman McGovern’s leadership, where many of our statewide initiatives were raised as national examples of success.

Since the conference occurred, Project Bread has convened our partners to begin building the coalition of today: a collective movement where we will all contribute to an action plan for solving hunger. The White House has already recognized Project Bread and coalition members About Fresh and Food for Free in March as leading partners in the White House Challenge to End Hunger and Build Healthy Communities – a nationwide call-to-action to solve hunger by 2030.

Get Involved

You Can Help Make Hunger History

Learn more about the Make Hunger History Coalition and the vision to end hunger in the Commonwealth. Join Project Bread's Action Team to support grassroots advocacy around this campaign and be a part of the mission to come!

Makehungerhistoryma.org