Arlington Resident Laces Up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger

ARLINGTON, Mass. – On May 4, Paul Goldberg, of Arlington, will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. He will be among over 3,500 participants, both in-person and virtual, to walk the 3-mile loop around the Boston Common or in their own neighborhoods. The one-day community event will raise more than $1 million to support the leading statewide food security organization’s approach to ensure food access for all children and families in Massachusetts.

The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s flagship community fundraiser, brings together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the Commonwealth. The celebration is set for Sunday, May 4 at 9 a.m. and will feature family-friendly activities, food and entertainment. This year’s Walk will remain an accessible route on the fully paved sidewalks, allowing people with mobility devices, young children, and other needs to participate. ASL interpreters and multilingual staff will be present throughout the event. Beginning in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the nation, money raised from The Walk for Hunger is critical to fund Project Bread’s statewide work for systemic change for hunger relief.

“It is becoming more and more difficult for people to afford enough to eat,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread. “One in 5 families with kids are worried about where their next meal will come from. The Walk for Hunger is our opportunity to make an immediate difference in the lives of thousands of our neighbors. The people – our walkers, volunteers, and donors – are what make The Walk for Hunger such a powerful event. Together, as a community, we’re making sure people can access food with dignity and choice each day.”
Goldberg, a retired clinical social worker, is marking an incredible milestone with Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger—his 40th Walk since first joining the cause in 1985. Now 79, Goldberg continues to be drawn to the event’s inclusive spirit and powerful mission, walking the three-mile loop around the Boston Common alongside people of all backgrounds united in their commitment to ending hunger. From walking solo his first year when the Walk was 20 miles long to later pushing his daughter in a stroller and now walking with a close friend of over two decades, Goldberg’s journey with the Walk is filled with meaningful memories. He’s proud to be a long-time Heart & Sole participant, or top fundraiser, having raised thousands to support food security across the Commonwealth, and despite his wife’s encouragement to recycle the many Walk T-shirts he's accumulated over the years, he’s held onto each one as a symbol of his enduring dedication. For Goldberg, the Walk is more than a tradition—it’s a thread woven into his life story. A chance meeting during his very first Walk event led to the blind date that would eventually lead to his marriage.
“Every year I look forward to gathering on the Boston Common with like-minded people of all ages, races, socioeconomic backgrounds and other diverse identities,” says Goldberg. “In these times in particular, I take comfort in the companionship of others who share my concern for this cause.”

Donate directly to Goldberg’s fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/fundraiser/6255768. To register as a participant for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit give.projectbread.org/walk. All individual walkers are encouraged to fundraise a minimum of $25 and teams $250. Participants who raise $500 or more are recognized as Heart & Sole walkers and receive access to personalized fundraising support, exclusive event gear, free breakfast on Walk Day, and invitations to exclusive events.

People experiencing food insecurity should call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), which provides confidential, free assistance getting connected to a variety of food resources in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. Counselors can pre-screen families and help them to apply for SNAP. Learn more at projectbread.org/get-help.

About Project Bread
Project Bread is the leading statewide food security organization in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969 with the first Walk for Hunger, the nonprofit focuses 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.

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