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

NORTH END, Mass. – On May 4, Brooke Lochiatto, of Boston’s North End neighborhood, will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. She 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.”
Lochiatto, 27, Executive Assistant to McAleer at Project Bread, has always been driven by a passion for policy and advocacy, which led her to the nonprofit sector. Raised in Braintree, Mass., she aspired to work with Massachusetts policymakers and previously worked at The Prison Journalism Project, amplifying the voices of incarcerated writers. Now at Project Bread, she combines her advocacy work with the mission of ending childhood hunger in Massachusetts. Inspired by the organization's unique approach of combining policy with direct action, Lochiatto is deeply moved by her colleagues' passion and is proud to impact the community she grew up in, putting resources into the hands of those who need them and partnering with other organizations to help them do the same. Outside of work, she volunteers with Big Sister Boston, spending time with her "Little Sister," Cambrie, as a mentor and friend.
Lochiatto is excited to be back for her second Walk for Hunger and hopes to join the Heart & Sole ranks this year, fundraising more than $500 to support Project Bread’s mission. Lochiatto has been actively recruiting family and friends to join her on the walk, excited to show them the power of the community and how Project Bread is making a difference.
"Project Bread is an organization that stands out because of its commitment to ending hunger in Massachusetts. The combination of advocacy, policy, and direct action resonates with me deeply, and we are demonstrating the incredible potential for change statewide," says Lochiatto. "It’s amazing to be part of a team that is truly working towards making hunger a thing of the past and to see the ripple effects of our work each day."
Donate directly to Lochiatto’s fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/fundraiser/6141354. 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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