05/06/2024

The 56th Walk For Hunger: Coming Together To Take Down Hunger

Project Bread

The Walk For Hunger

Thank you for joining The 56th Walk for Hunger!!!

Project Bread hosted The 56th annual Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 5 to raise funds to help kids, families, and seniors in Massachusetts access and afford food with dignity. Project Bread and thousands of our neighbors of all ages, cultures, and backgrounds could not have been more excited to join together on Boston Common to make some noise, and to ensure their neighbors have enough to eat.

Thank you for 56 years of commitment to supporting hunger solutions in Massachusetts!

The Walk for Hunger is a 3 mile walk around the Boston Common, live entertainment, good food, and amazing company.

Utilizing the Common’s paved and low-incline areas in laying out this year’s Walk route, this year’s Walk was our most accessible yet!

Increased seating along the route and throughout the event
Complimentary water and snacks to fuel our Walkers
Stage performances televised on the big screen with additional speakers throughout the event site so all could see & hear the excitement, with ear plugs available as well

The Common was full of smiling faces, young and old, enjoying the bright atmosphere of the event despite overcast weather.

One of our goals for The 56th Walk for Hunger was to make sure every Walker, regardless of their primary language, had the same opportunity to fully enjoy this iconic event.

Spanish speaking staff and volunteers stationed at check in
Bilingual staff wearing “I Speak” language buttons to communicate with Walkers along the route
ASL Interpreters at Check-In & Info Booth, as well as on the main stage during speaking programs.
Day-of-food resources easily accessible at the Info Booth in multiple languages
The Walk Day Guide was printed in Spanish

While The Walk for Hunger is always a family event, this year the Kid’s Zone was everyone’s favorite spot. Below our balloon arch, Walkers of all ages were getting caricatures from local artist AJ Jerrett, and planting seeds and decorating planters in the Herb Garden where they could also collect a recipe on how to use their herbs.

The next generation of anti-hunger advocates and families also had a blast getting balloon animals or their faces painted, and engaging in educational activities.

We even got to see a few local celebrities among the crowd, like Jeremy Reiner broadcasting live from our partners at Channel 7 News, and Bob & LBF from our partners at WROR! Thanks to Spike Events for their amazing digital photobooth to help capture so many magical moments and Another Age Productions for leading the testimonial video booth for you to share your Walk Day thoughts with us!

Whether you were a first time participant joining us on the Common or a life-long supporter tuning in from across the world, you all went the extra mile for our neighbors this year.

More than 3,600 people participated in The 56th Walk for Hunger from all over the state - country. At the end of the day (Sunday, May 5), together we’ve raised over $930k toward our $1.3 million goal!

RECOGNIZING GREG WILMOT’S VISIONARY LEADERSHIP

Presenting The Patrick Hughes Award For Social Justice

Meet Greg Wilmot, the recipient of the 2024 Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice. This prestigious award, named after the late founder of the Walk for Hunger, recognizes individuals who embody a steadfast dedication to combating hunger and advocating for social change.

Greg is the President & CEO of The East Boston Neighborhood Health Center, soon to be NeighborHealth, where he spearheads innovative initiatives at the intersection of hunger and health. Through his visionary leadership, Greg has transformed the center into a beacon of hope for those facing food insecurity in Massachusetts.

Under Greg's guidance, the center has partnered with community health centers for decades, expanding their reach to support thousands of individuals in accessing nutritious food with dignity. When the pandemic struck, Greg's commitment to serving the community only grew stronger, leading initiatives to ensure no one goes hungry during challenging times.

What sets Greg apart is not just his passion, but his ability to translate that passion into tangible action. His advocacy and innovation have propelled Massachusetts towards a healthier future, making strides in addressing food insecurity as a fundamental aspect of healthcare.

It is with great honor that Greg receives this year's Patrick Hughes Award for Social Justice, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the greater good and his role as a pioneering force in the fight against hunger and inequality.

Read more about Greg's advocacy, and his leadership toward a healthier future for all Massachusetts.

Community Partners All Across the Commonwealth

39 of Project Bread's community partners created teams for The Walk, and joined The Commonwealth - the fundraising share program for The Walk for Hunger.

So far this year, The Commonwealth teams have raised over $150,000 toward ending hunger in Massachusetts! 60% of the funds these teams raise will be granted to their organizations to support their local work.

Did you spot the map at the event site? Each label represents a team’s organization participating in The Commonwealth, showing the communities they support across Massachusetts, and how far they traveled to join us on Boston Common.