Rose’s Bounty Hits Laces Up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger

WEST ROXBURY, Mass. – On May 4, Rose’s Bounty will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. For the 4th consecutive year, the West Roxbury-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 Rose’s Bounty 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.”

Rose’s Bounty is a growing community of living kindness that serves those facing food insecurity and those giving their time, talent, and treasure to neighbors in need. The food pantry delivers food to people who are homebound and veterans with disabilities, while also providing support to students facing food insecurity. Through their food pantry and pop-ups, they serve all ages and over 1,000 people each month. The open food pantry serves neighbors in West Roxbury, Roslindale, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain and Mattapan. The team will walk virtually in West Roxbury to collectively raise $20,000. Funds raised from Project Bread’s 57th annual Walk for Hunger will go toward the purchasing of food and operating expenses for the organization’s programs.

“Participating in the 2025 Walk for Hunger is important for many reasons,” says Darra Slagle, Executive Director of Rose’s Bounty. “We can demonstrate to our neighbors that we care, and it helps to elevate awareness about food insecurity in our area all while raising necessary funds for our organization. Doing our own walk around West Roxbury helps to create enthusiasm locally within the community.”

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 Rose’s Bounty’s Commonwealth fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/team/640407. 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 Rose’s Bounty
Conceived in 2015, Rose’s Bounty has grown from a food pantry to a variety of programs geared to overcome barriers in accessing healthy food. Rose’s Bounty programs include delivery and pop-up food pantries for disabled veterans and those facing homelessness, elementary school children and their families, homebound neighbors, adult day care clients, seniors in public housing, and food pantries open to the public. For more information, visit: https://www.stratfordstreetunitedchurch.org/food-pantry.html

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