Mei Mei Dumplings & Jaju Pierogi Lace Up for 57th Walk for Hunger

ANDOVER, BRIGHTON, BEVERLY, Mass. – On May 4, Dumplings of the World, a joint team formed by the founders of Jaju Pierogi and Mei Mei Dumplings, stepped up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. The team of over 80 members joined thousands of 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 raised over $1.1 million and counting 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, brought together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the state. The event took place on Sunday, May 4 beginning at 9 a.m. and featured family-friendly activities, food and entertainment. This year’s Walk continued its commitment to accessibility with a fully paved route, accommodations for mobility devices, and the presence of ASL interpreters and multilingual staff.

“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. Companies like Mei Mei Dumplings and Jaju Pierogi 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.”

The Dumplings of the World team was started by Brighton resident Irene Shiang Li, Founding Partner of Mei Mei Dumplings and a member of Project Bread’s Board of Directors, alongside Andover resident Casey White and Beverly resident Vanessa White, Cofounders of Jaju Pierogi. The team hosted a Bottomless Dumplings & Pierogi Day in April, which raised over $1500 in one day and helped them fill out their Walk for Hunger team with 84 community members who wanted to join in the mission to end hunger in Massachusetts.
“Gathering is so important during this challenging time,” said Li. “At Mei Mei, we’re in the business of selling food, but we believe that no one in Massachusetts should go hungry because they can’t afford groceries. I participated in the Walk as a kid, and now, being on Project Bread’s Board of Directors and walking with my community makes it all come full circle. We’re fired up and ready to help make hunger history.”
On Walk Day, team members gathered on Boston Common, and the Jaju Pierogi mascot brought smiles to many Walkers’ faces and lots of positive energy throughout the morning. To date, Dumplings of the World has now surpassed their $5,000 goal and has raised over $6,500 already through their ongoing fundraising efforts.

“We loved bringing the Pierogi costume from Jaju Pierogi to the Walk for Hunger to pump up the Dumplings of the World walkers and the entire crowd,” shared Vanessa White. “Eliminating hunger is hard work, but we’ll promise to always try to make people laugh and make it fun. We hope to make the Pierogi and Jaju Pierogi a mainstay of the Walk for Hunger moving forward.”

Casey White echoed that passion, “Helping those in need is a huge motivator for me. When we walk, we raise not just money—but awareness. Food is essential to survival, and I believe no one should go without it—regardless of race or socioeconomic status. I’m proud to support Project Bread and to walk with a team that believes in nourishing our communities every single day.”

Beginning in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the nation, money raised from The Walk for Hunger is critical to fund systemic change for hunger relief. Fundraising through the Walk for Hunger will continue through the summer. To support team Dumplings of the World’s Walk for Hunger campaign, donate at https://give.projectbread.org/team/639573.

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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