42,000 Walkers Show Commitment to Feed Hungry Families

Call for help brings surge of support as Project Bread's Walk for Hunger reaches goal of $3.8 million

BOSTON, May 2 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Welcomed by Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, 42,000 people came to the Boston Common to raise $3.8 million for the hungry during Project Bread's annual Walk for Hunger. Sunny weather helped the 20-mile pledge Walk attract over 1,000 religious organizations, as well as 1,200 corporate teams, 1,200 schools, and 700 friends and family groups. Organizers were delighted that the Walkers and their sponsors reached their goal of $3.8 million to provide food for 400 emergency food programs in 135 Massachusetts cities and towns. These funds will provide a hot meal or a bag of groceries for out-of-work families next winter.

In preparation for the warm temperatures and the water crisis affecting the city of Boston, Project Bread had eleven water stops along the 20-mile route. Project Bread's Walk for Hunger usually goes through 7,500 gallons of water for approximately 40,000 walkers. This year they doubled the amount of water to 15,000 gallons through vendor Crystal Rock Vermont Pure Water.

"When so many people are strapped, it's heartening to see so many Walkers show their support for those struggling to put food on the table," said Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread - The Walk for Hunger.  "Our Walkers, Volunteers, and donors are the heroes of this event. They've come out to help those who are hurting as never before. We put out a call for their help and they've answered. Even the weather cooperated and we hope that's sign of better days to come."

The USDA estimates more than 554,000 people in the state are struggling to put food on the table. With foreclosures and unemployment still high, many more people find themselves hungry for the first time. Calls to Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline, the only comprehensive hunger resource in Massachusetts, have surged over the past year and are up from 37,000 to nearly 50,000.

The Walk for Hunger provides grants to 400 emergency food programs, including soup kitchens, food pantries, food banks, and food salvage organizations each September. These programs served nearly 57.8 million emergency meals last year to people who had no other place to go. Since 1969, the Walk has spurred 1,002,800 Walkers to tread 20,818,800 miles and raise over $77.8 million to help hungry people.

"This Walk for Hunger demonstrates the level of commitment that people have for helping their hungry neighbors," says Parker. "We were down 5 percent and put out a call for help. Support from our Walkers, Volunteers, and corporate and media sponsors poured in. We're delighted to say that we've closed the gap and made our goal of $3.8 million for hungry people.

"But the need is so great, I urge everyone to collect all pledge money from sponsors, and to ask about corporate matches. In times like these, we can't allow any available money to be left on the table. Also, we ask everyone who decided not to walk to make a donation. We thank our corporate and media sponsors for stepping up their support in our hour of need and our Walkers, Volunteers, and donors for their commitment."

About Project Bread

As the state's leading antihunger organization, Project Bread is dedicated to alleviating, preventing, and ultimately ending hunger in Massachusetts. Through The Walk for Hunger, the oldest continual pledge walk in the country, Project Bread provides millions of dollars each year in privately donated funds to over 400 emergency food programs in 135 communities statewide. Major corporate sponsors include Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Freihofer's Baking Company, Arbella Insurance Group Charitable Foundation, and Raytheon Company. Project Bread also advocates systemic solutions that provide food for families in natural, everyday settings, such as schools, after-school programs, summer programs, community health centers, hospitals, and home care organizations. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org.

SOURCE Project Bread