Centre Street Food Pantry Laces Up for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger

NEWTON, Mass. – On May 4, Centre Street Food Pantry will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. For the first time, the Newton-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 Centre Street Food Pantry 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.”

Centre Street Food Pantry provides consistent and inclusive access to healthy food with dignity and kindness to the residents of Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown, and Wellesley. This regional food relief organization offers a grocery distribution aligned with USDA MyPlate guidelines, as well as programs that provide additional food for children, and a Breakfast Bag Program that offers everything for a hot breakfast (or quick dinner). In its inaugural year of participation, a group of twenty volunteers and staff will participate to reach or exceed a $2,000 fundraising goal to support hunger relief efforts. For team captain and volunteer Karen Allschwang, this will be her 35th consecutive year hitting the pavement for the cause.
“Hunger exists in every community, and it's hidden as a way of life for many now due to high prices and economic instability,” says Rose Saia, Executive Director of Centre Street Food Pantry. “Participating in the Walk for Hunger allows us to shed light on this issue and raise funds to continue serving families who work hard to make ends meet. We are excited to take part in and join other like minded organizations and Project Bread to help them and making a lasting impact.”
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 Centre Street Food Pantry’s Commonwealth fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/team/646462. 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 Centre Street Food Pantry
Centre Street Food Pantry is a regional food relief agency that serves residents of Brookline, Needham, Newton, Waltham, Watertown and Wellesley. The organization offers households an assortment of groceries and fresh foods in a curbside pickup program that operates weekly. Clients may make appointments or isit on a "first come, first serve" basis and there is an hour reserved for seniors. For more information, visit centrestfoodpantry.org.

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