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

SHARON, Mass. – On May 4, David Bohn, of Sharon, 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.”

David Bohn, 68, a retired civil/transportation engineer, has taken part in Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger for over 30 years and he has the event swag to prove it, proudly donning many Walk for Hunger souvenir buttons issued to commemorate each year’s walk. The Walk for Hunger initially got his attention after seeing flyers, brochures, and public service announcements about the event. That outreach inspired him to get involved and walk the original 20-mile route, raising funds for the cause. Over the many intervening years, Bohn has been joined by his wife, daughter, son, and his grandchildren, making the Walk for Hunger a continuing family tradition. Motivated by a desire to give back and help those less fortunate, he has raised approximately $100,000 through donations from family, friends, and colleagues over those 30+ years. This year, he originally aimed to raise at least $5,000 but by early April, he and his family had already raised $5,400 for Project Bread. Bohn’s involvement with food insecurity has extended well beyond the Walk for Hunger; throughout his career he volunteered at and supported the Watertown Food Pantry through donations. He also supports efforts to help feed people through Temple Sinai in Sharon. Temple Sinai has set up an ongoing, once-a-month program for serving dinner at Mainspring House in Brockton and he is also involved in the temple's annual and highly successful High Holiday food drive.

"Food insecurity is a basic human issue—everyone deserves access to food," says Bohn. "Project Bread’s advocacy and efforts to address this critical need are vital, and I’m proud to be part of what the organization does year in and year out."

Donate directly to Bohn’s fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/fundraiser/6185132. 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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