People Helping People Laces Up for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger

BURLINGTON, Mass. – On May 4, People Helping People will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. For the fourth consecutive year, the Burlington-based nonprofit will raise money to support statewide food security through the Commonwealth Program. The Commonwealth gives organizations addressing food insecurity 60% of all funds they raise to support their own hunger relief programs, with the remaining 40% applied to Project Bread’s statewide food security efforts.

The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s flagship community fundraiser, brings together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the state. 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.

“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. Organizations like People Helping People 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.”

People Helping People works to establish and sustain a community-wide effort to help meet the basic needs of residents in Burlington, serving over 200 families each month, including adults, children, and seniors who are facing ongoing or temporary financial insecurity. The nonprofit runs the Burlington Community Food Pantry; Holiday Programs, including Thanksgiving meals and their signature Wish Tree for the Holiday season campaign; and the Covenant for Basic Needs, an emergency fund. This year, the team of an expected 40 area residents will participate virtually in Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger by walking a 3-mile loop around the Burlington High School track with a goal to raise $3,000 for hunger relief.

“It's always wonderful being surrounded by and walking with members of our community who want to help end hunger and food insecurity,” says Julie Lewis, People Helping People’s Senior Food Pantry Manager. “The funds we've raised through The Walk for Hunger have helped us to continue operating our food pantry and other programs. Over 200 families rely on us each month to help put food on their tables, so we need to continue our work without interruption."

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. Project Bread launched the joint-fundraising Commonwealth Program in 2019. In 2024, 39 nonprofits raised more than $228,000 to support their own programs for statewide food security.

Donate directly to People Helping People’s Commonwealth fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/team/639513. 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.

About People Helping People
People Helping People works to establish and sustain a community-wide effort to help meet the basic needs of residents of Burlington, Mass. For more information, visit: www.peoplehelpingpeopleinc.org.

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