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First Congregational Church of Revere Food Pantry hits the pavement for Project Bread’s 55th Annual Walk for Hunger

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Revere-based nonprofit to raise money for local hunger relief programs

  On May 7, First Congregational Church of Revere will be among over 3,000 participants to lace up for Project Bread’s 55th annual Walk for Hunger. For the fifth consecutive year, the Revere-based nonprofit will raise money to fight hunger. They are participating in Project Bread’s The Commonwealth program, which gives organizations addressing food insecurity 60% of all funds they have raised to support their own hunger relief programs, with the remaining 40% applied to Project Bread’s statewide anti-hunger effort. To date, Project Bread has awarded over $6,000 to First Congregational Church of Revere.

  Beginning in 1969, as the first pledge walk in the nation, Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger has brought together a diverse community dedicated to creating change. On Sunday, May 7, the annual fundraiser returns to Boston Common after three years of being virtual due to COVID-19 safety precautions. This rite of passage for people in Massachusetts returns in its 55th year with a shorter route and a fresh look. The mission of the time-honored tradition will never change. The fundraising goal this year is over $1 million.

  “Right now, 1 in every 5 households with children in Massachusetts is struggling without enough to eat,” according to Project Bread CEO Erin McAleer. She noted that the number of families with children unable to afford food among Black, brown, and immigrant households is disproportionately higher.

  “Hunger in Massachusetts is simply unacceptable,” McAleer says. “This is a solvable problem but every single one of us needs to do our part. We all must take action. The work the First Congregational Church of Revere does reflects what The Walk is all about—stepping up to benefit our friends, neighbors, and family members in Massachusetts who cannot meet the most basic of human needs: food. The First Congregational Church of Revere walk team understands hunger is an injustice and they are doing something about it. That is powerful.”

  The Food Pantry of First Congregational Church of Revere works to provide emergency food to food-insecure families in their community, providing two bags of nonperishable and perishable food per month to each family. Revere has nearly 13% of families living at or below poverty levels, and these people were the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 the organization served 3,574 unique families that came at least once to the church, including 4,935 children. Funds raised from Project Bread’s 55th Walk for Hunger will go toward the food pantry’s purchasing of food, especially produce, dairy and meat from The Greater Boston Food Bank.

  “The funds received from Project Bread have always been crucial in supplementing our food budget,” says First Congregational Church of Revere Director Wendy Baur. “As a volunteer, I’ve worked the registration desk at the Walk for Hunger for many years. I love interacting with the participants of all ages. It’s always such a fun and uplifting event.”

  Money raised through the Walk for Hunger is critical to Project Bread’s statewide work to ensure kids reliably have enough to eat, to provide one-on-one support for individuals and families who need food assistance and to prevent hunger in the first place by eliminating barriers to resources and implementing policies that make food more accessible. In keeping with the community spirit of the event, the Walk also provides a platform for organizations, such as First Congregational Church of Revere, to fund the vital work they do fighting hunger locally. The Commonwealth is a joint fundraising program that Project Bread launched in 2019; in 2022, 36 nonprofits raised more than $123,000 to support their own programs.

  This year’s event will include remarks by McAleer as well as family-friendly activities on Boston Common, such as live music, photo booths, giveaways and raffle prizes, lawn games and a Kids’ Zone with balloon animals and face painting. Families with kids, community groups, individuals and teams of corporate employees are encouraged to find creative ways to fundraise and join us on Boston Common for the new three-mile route and an exciting day of celebration. Project Bread will continue to engage virtual participants this year, inviting anyone interested to register and walk their own way from wherever they are.

  To register as a participant for Project Bread’s The Walk for Hunger, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit projectbread.org/walk or call 617-723-5000.There is no registration fee or fundraising minimum to participate. Participants who raise $500 or more are recognized as Heart & Sole walkers and receive access to personalized fundraising support, exclusive event gear and invitations to events.

  People experiencing food insecurity should call into Project Bread’s toll-free FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential assistance to connect with food resources, including SNAP benefits, in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org/get-help.

 

About Project Bread

  Project Bread is the leading statewide anti-hunger organization in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969 with the first Walk for Hunger, the nonprofit has focused 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 First Congregational Church of Revere’s Food Pantry

  The First Congregational Church of Revere Food Pantry is an emergency food provider for food-insecure families in our community. Located at 230 Beach St., the pantry is open every Wednesday night from 6:15 to 8:00 p.m. Clients may pick up food once a month. Only one member per household can register. For more information, visit www.firstcongrevere.org/food-pantry.

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