Waltham Fields Community Farm Laces Up for 57th Walk for Hunger

WALTHAM, Mass. – On May 4, Waltham Fields Community Farm will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. For the seventh consecutive year, the Waltham-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 Waltham Fields Community Farm 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.”

Waltham Fields Community Farm, based in Waltham, is committed to providing fresh vegetables grown to organic standards to low-income households and engaging the community through educational programs. The farm operates initiatives like the VegRx program and Mobile Outreach Market to ensure equitable access to healthy food. This year, a team of 10 will participate in Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger with a goal to raise $5,000 to support these essential food access programs. Funds raised through the Commonwealth Program will help sustain the farm’s mission of fostering sustainable relationships between people, their food, and the land.

“The Walk for Hunger is an incredible opportunity to unite with our community and support those lacking access to fresh and locally grown food,” says Amanda Smith, Director of Development at Waltham Fields. “The funds raised will directly impact our ability to continue providing healthy, local food to those who need it most. It’s a powerful reminder of how we can come together to make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.”

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 Waltham Fields Community Farm’s Commonwealth fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/team/641437. 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 Waltham Fields Community Farm
Waltham Fields Community Farm cultivates sustainable and equitable relationships between people, their food supply, and the land from which it grows. For more information, visit https://communityfarms.org/.

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