April 19, 2025 • 10 mins
The rising cost of housing and essentials is making it more difficult for families and individuals to put nourishing food on the table. Since 1969, Project Bread in Boston has hosted the "Walk for Hunger", a community movement to bring awareness to this problem and raise much-needed money for hunger relief. Project Bread President Erin McAleer returns to the show to share the details with Nichole and give an update on their work to fight hunger in Massachusetts.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:07):
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week we come together right here we
talk about all the topics important to you and the
place where you live. Thanks for joining us again this
week and Happy Patriots Day. I'm Nicole Davis. Many times
here on the show, over the past few years, we've
talked about how the rising cost of housing and essentials
(00:28):
it's frankly making it more and more difficult for not
just families, but also individuals to feed themselves. We've also
spoken about how families have to make an incredibly difficult
decision between rent, food, or utilities. Families with young kids
are especially vulnerable. Here. Since nineteen sixty nine, Project Bread
has hosted the Walk for Hunger. It's not just a walk,
but it's also a community movement to bring awareness to
(00:50):
this problem and raise much needed money for hunger relief.
The next walk is coming up in a matter of weeks,
so let's learn more about it. Aaron McLear, the president
of Project Bread, has been here before several times. She's
back with us again. Wonderful to have you by the
way back with us.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Aaron.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
It's always good to have your input on the show.
We're going to talk about the walk momentarily, but maybe
for somebody who is tuning in for the first time,
fill us in a little bit, just give us a
bit of a primer again about what Project Bread does.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Project Bread the food security organization serving all of Massachusetts.
We do this through prevention, partnership and policy. On the
prevention side, for example, right now, we're working to set
up meal sites for the summer summer eats to ensure
kids have meals when school is out. Last year we
had fourteen hundred sites and we're hoping to have that
(01:38):
same number again this summer. You know, on the policy side,
we led the campaign to make universal free school meals
permanent in Massachusetts, so today nine hundred thousand kids have
access to free breakfast and free lunch thanks to that law.
And on the partnership side, we can't do this alone.
We need to do this in partnership with so many others.
And that's why the Walker hung which is our annual
(02:01):
fundraising event and coming up on May fourth, is so
important to our organization. Certainly it's our biggest fundraiser and
we need to raise money to support our work, but
it's an aweso an opportunity for the community to come
together and take action against hunger. There'll be ways that
people can do advocacy from the venue that day, or
raise their voice or share their own story if they've
(02:23):
had food insecurity. So it's a really empowering and wonderful event,
and we hope as many people will show out as ken.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, and we'll talk a bit more about the walk
here in a few minutes. But I really, while I
had you, wanted to ask you. I mean, there's so
many moving parts out there right now when it comes
to funding for food banks and food pantries and snap.
Can you kind of give us just an overview of
here in Massachusetts? I know that one in three adults
are food insecure. What is the situation looking like right
(02:49):
now as we stand?
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, Unfortunately, right now, in this moment in time, food
and security reads are at the same level as we
saw during the peak of the pandemic. This is still
a crisis. During the pandemic, it was definitely recognized more
as the crisis it was. But right now, what we're
seeing happening across our state is just the cost of
everything continues to go up and people's wages are not
(03:13):
keeping pace. So people might be working forty hours a week,
fifty sixty hours a week and they can't afford to
get by. We are seeing a huge impact on kids,
in particular, families with children are most impacted, and un
senior citizens who live on a fixed budget and so
their budget's not going up to meet the cost. And then,
as you mentioned, you know, unlike during the pandemic, where
(03:36):
we the federal government said Okay, we know this is
a difficult time, we're going to step in and help,
we are just hearing rhetoric around we know these are
going to be tough times, but there's no end, right,
There's no and these are the ways, And it's actually
the opposite. We're hearing proposals coming out of Congress to
cut the very programs that make sure people have access
(03:56):
to food. You know, conversations about cutting school meals for example,
bull or that summer each program I talked about, or
SNAP supplemental Nutrition assistance program. So they have not been
cut yet, and so Project BRED and our partners are
working really hard to make sure those federal nutrition programs
that feed the most number of people in our state
continue to be a reliable support and the Walk for
(04:18):
Hunger again is a day of action as well, for
people to share their stories and take action to protect
programs that feed families across our state.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
This walk, by the way, has been going on almost
sixty years. This is an institution here in Massachusetts, and
there's clearly a lot of support and love backing it
because it continues to survive after all this time. When
somebody signs up for the Walk for Hunger, tell us
a little bit about what they're signing up for. Sure.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Well, first of all, there are different ways you can
sign up. We have the in person Walk for Hunger.
Registration is free. You would join us on Boston Common
on the morning of Sunday, May fourth. The walk is
three miles. Basically you loop around the Common three times
and there's lots activities and activations. It's just a really
fun community warning coming together. However, we know not everybody
(05:07):
is able to come into Boston on a Sunday morning,
so we also have a virtual walk and registration is
free for that as well, and you can walk your
own way. And so we've had people organize walks on
farms in different parts of the state or at schools
in different part of the state or even just around
their own neighborhood, So there's lots of different ways to
be a part of this community. We are hoping for
(05:27):
about four thousand people to participate this year, and so
far over two thousand have registered and we're hoping to
raise over a million, and so far we've already raised
about half a million, So we have a few weeks
to go, but a few hundred thousand to go as well.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Does it always seem like in the last few weeks
that's when the money really starts to come in, When
people go, oh, wow, I'm doing this in a couple
of weeks, I should go like, hand up all my
friends and family and have them pay me money.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
That's it. Totally does. In the final week coming up
to the walk We're Hunger is when we start to
see fundraising really increase.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, I'm not surprised about that because you know, I'll
be honest about it. It's three miles right there around
the common super simple, and you were talking about advocacy.
What exactly what you have there for people to do.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Well, So there's a couple of things people can decide
to get involved. We are leading make Hunger history, which
is a statewide coalition for folks to join. Individuals and
organizations are able to join. That coalition meets monthly, but
there's also groups focused on specific areas. And so if
somebody is really like, hey, I want to get involved
(06:31):
in this issue and I want to roll up my
sleeves and things strategically and work with others, that's a
really great way to get involved. Or if they don't
have that level of time. We also have our Hunger
Action Team, and if people sign up for that, they'll
get action alerts from Project Bread telling them one to
reach out to their legislators, want to reach out to
their federal legislators or their state legislators at pivotal moments
(06:51):
when things are being discussed and decided. So we will
be signing people up that day and asking people to
take act and somehow in order to help self hunger
here in Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Okay, fair enough, And what about the kids? Is this
a kid friendly event or should they stay at home
for the morning.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
No, this is super kid friendly. It's stroller acceptible, wheelchair acceptible,
so an easy walk for families. But all along the
route they'll be different kid activities to keep those kids engaged.
We'll have fruit, we'll be giving out, they'll be opportunities
for kids to you know, do chalk on the common.
(07:29):
There's going to be lots of just different activities for
the kids throughout the day. I'm probably not listing all
of the great things, but my kids go every year.
They love it. They think it's a blast. So it's
an opportunity for kids to really learn about how can I,
you know, do good in my own community, but also
have some fun while they're doing it.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And also kind of wear them out because three times
around the common that's not for anybody. And they'll go
home and they'll have the best nap ever, or like
have dinner and just sleep. So it's a win win
for parents, frankly. So no registration for you said, correct,
Literally just sign up and raise the money.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Yes, exactly. And then we ask everybody to you know,
no registration fee, but to raise money to If you
raise five hundred dollars, you're considered a heart and Solar
at Project Bread and that comes with some fun perks
like breakfast on the common in the morning and a
T shirt. So we ask everybody to raise some money
to support support this effort, and again we're looking to
(08:22):
raise over a million dollars.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Okay, that seems completely doable. We can do this. How
can people sign up? You said that you can do
it on the common that day, but also if you
want to do it in advance, start earning, how can
they do that?
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Sure, go to projectbread dot org and forward slash Walk
for Hunger and you can sign up for either doing
it on the common or virtually and or if you can't,
donate to the Walk for Hunger as well.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Okay, and if somebody is dealing with food in security
and they're listening to this, I mean we've had you
on a few times here on the show. You have
so many great resources. Where can people access those?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So? I would recommend they call our food source hotline,
which is one eight hundred six four five eight three
three three if they're not able to get to a phone.
We also have a chat feature, so you can go
to projectbread dot org and get help there. Our counselors
work six days a week, they work in the evenings.
They speak I think they speak five languages, but we
(09:20):
can also support anybody in any language. It's confidential that
you know, just a confidential, compassionate conversation with the counselor
who will support you in accessing food. And what we
like to say is, don't wait to call us if
you're already concerned about what could be coming. Don't wait
until you have no food at home to give us
a call. Pick up the phone now and know that
(09:41):
there's there's support available to you.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Most definitely well erin. Always great to have you on
the show. Thank you so much for all you do
to make sure that our kids that we are fed
and have a great time at the walk.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Thank you, Nicole, have a great day.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join me again
next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole
Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
From WBZ News Radio in Boston. This is New England Weekend.
Each and every week we come together right here we
talk about all the topics important to you and the
place where you live. Thanks for joining us again this
week and Happy Patriots Day. I'm Nicole Davis. Many times
here on the show, over the past few years, we've
talked about how the rising cost of housing and essentials
(00:28):
it's frankly making it more and more difficult for not
just families, but also individuals to feed themselves. We've also
spoken about how families have to make an incredibly difficult
decision between rent, food, or utilities. Families with young kids
are especially vulnerable. Here. Since nineteen sixty nine, Project Bread
has hosted the Walk for Hunger. It's not just a walk,
but it's also a community movement to bring awareness to
(00:50):
this problem and raise much needed money for hunger relief.
The next walk is coming up in a matter of weeks,
so let's learn more about it. Aaron McLear, the president
of Project Bread, has been here before several times. She's
back with us again. Wonderful to have you by the
way back with us.
Speaker 2 (01:05):
Aaron.
Speaker 1 (01:05):
It's always good to have your input on the show.
We're going to talk about the walk momentarily, but maybe
for somebody who is tuning in for the first time,
fill us in a little bit, just give us a
bit of a primer again about what Project Bread does.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Project Bread the food security organization serving all of Massachusetts.
We do this through prevention, partnership and policy. On the
prevention side, for example, right now, we're working to set
up meal sites for the summer summer eats to ensure
kids have meals when school is out. Last year we
had fourteen hundred sites and we're hoping to have that
(01:38):
same number again this summer. You know, on the policy side,
we led the campaign to make universal free school meals
permanent in Massachusetts, so today nine hundred thousand kids have
access to free breakfast and free lunch thanks to that law.
And on the partnership side, we can't do this alone.
We need to do this in partnership with so many others.
And that's why the Walker hung which is our annual
(02:01):
fundraising event and coming up on May fourth, is so
important to our organization. Certainly it's our biggest fundraiser and
we need to raise money to support our work, but
it's an aweso an opportunity for the community to come
together and take action against hunger. There'll be ways that
people can do advocacy from the venue that day, or
raise their voice or share their own story if they've
(02:23):
had food insecurity. So it's a really empowering and wonderful event,
and we hope as many people will show out as ken.
Speaker 1 (02:29):
Yeah, and we'll talk a bit more about the walk
here in a few minutes. But I really, while I
had you, wanted to ask you. I mean, there's so
many moving parts out there right now when it comes
to funding for food banks and food pantries and snap.
Can you kind of give us just an overview of
here in Massachusetts? I know that one in three adults
are food insecure. What is the situation looking like right
(02:49):
now as we stand?
Speaker 2 (02:51):
Yeah, Unfortunately, right now, in this moment in time, food
and security reads are at the same level as we
saw during the peak of the pandemic. This is still
a crisis. During the pandemic, it was definitely recognized more
as the crisis it was. But right now, what we're
seeing happening across our state is just the cost of
everything continues to go up and people's wages are not
(03:13):
keeping pace. So people might be working forty hours a week,
fifty sixty hours a week and they can't afford to
get by. We are seeing a huge impact on kids,
in particular, families with children are most impacted, and un
senior citizens who live on a fixed budget and so
their budget's not going up to meet the cost. And then,
as you mentioned, you know, unlike during the pandemic, where
(03:36):
we the federal government said Okay, we know this is
a difficult time, we're going to step in and help,
we are just hearing rhetoric around we know these are
going to be tough times, but there's no end, right,
There's no and these are the ways, And it's actually
the opposite. We're hearing proposals coming out of Congress to
cut the very programs that make sure people have access
(03:56):
to food. You know, conversations about cutting school meals for example,
bull or that summer each program I talked about, or
SNAP supplemental Nutrition assistance program. So they have not been
cut yet, and so Project BRED and our partners are
working really hard to make sure those federal nutrition programs
that feed the most number of people in our state
continue to be a reliable support and the Walk for
(04:18):
Hunger again is a day of action as well, for
people to share their stories and take action to protect
programs that feed families across our state.
Speaker 1 (04:27):
This walk, by the way, has been going on almost
sixty years. This is an institution here in Massachusetts, and
there's clearly a lot of support and love backing it
because it continues to survive after all this time. When
somebody signs up for the Walk for Hunger, tell us
a little bit about what they're signing up for. Sure.
Speaker 2 (04:45):
Well, first of all, there are different ways you can
sign up. We have the in person Walk for Hunger.
Registration is free. You would join us on Boston Common
on the morning of Sunday, May fourth. The walk is
three miles. Basically you loop around the Common three times
and there's lots activities and activations. It's just a really
fun community warning coming together. However, we know not everybody
(05:07):
is able to come into Boston on a Sunday morning,
so we also have a virtual walk and registration is
free for that as well, and you can walk your
own way. And so we've had people organize walks on
farms in different parts of the state or at schools
in different part of the state or even just around
their own neighborhood, So there's lots of different ways to
be a part of this community. We are hoping for
(05:27):
about four thousand people to participate this year, and so
far over two thousand have registered and we're hoping to
raise over a million, and so far we've already raised
about half a million, So we have a few weeks
to go, but a few hundred thousand to go as well.
Speaker 1 (05:39):
Does it always seem like in the last few weeks
that's when the money really starts to come in, When
people go, oh, wow, I'm doing this in a couple
of weeks, I should go like, hand up all my
friends and family and have them pay me money.
Speaker 2 (05:51):
That's it. Totally does. In the final week coming up
to the walk We're Hunger is when we start to
see fundraising really increase.
Speaker 1 (05:57):
Yeah, I'm not surprised about that because you know, I'll
be honest about it. It's three miles right there around
the common super simple, and you were talking about advocacy.
What exactly what you have there for people to do.
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Well, So there's a couple of things people can decide
to get involved. We are leading make Hunger history, which
is a statewide coalition for folks to join. Individuals and
organizations are able to join. That coalition meets monthly, but
there's also groups focused on specific areas. And so if
somebody is really like, hey, I want to get involved
(06:31):
in this issue and I want to roll up my
sleeves and things strategically and work with others, that's a
really great way to get involved. Or if they don't
have that level of time. We also have our Hunger
Action Team, and if people sign up for that, they'll
get action alerts from Project Bread telling them one to
reach out to their legislators, want to reach out to
their federal legislators or their state legislators at pivotal moments
(06:51):
when things are being discussed and decided. So we will
be signing people up that day and asking people to
take act and somehow in order to help self hunger
here in Massachusetts.
Speaker 1 (07:03):
Okay, fair enough, And what about the kids? Is this
a kid friendly event or should they stay at home
for the morning.
Speaker 2 (07:09):
No, this is super kid friendly. It's stroller acceptible, wheelchair acceptible,
so an easy walk for families. But all along the
route they'll be different kid activities to keep those kids engaged.
We'll have fruit, we'll be giving out, they'll be opportunities
for kids to you know, do chalk on the common.
(07:29):
There's going to be lots of just different activities for
the kids throughout the day. I'm probably not listing all
of the great things, but my kids go every year.
They love it. They think it's a blast. So it's
an opportunity for kids to really learn about how can I,
you know, do good in my own community, but also
have some fun while they're doing it.
Speaker 1 (07:46):
And also kind of wear them out because three times
around the common that's not for anybody. And they'll go
home and they'll have the best nap ever, or like
have dinner and just sleep. So it's a win win
for parents, frankly. So no registration for you said, correct,
Literally just sign up and raise the money.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
Yes, exactly. And then we ask everybody to you know,
no registration fee, but to raise money to If you
raise five hundred dollars, you're considered a heart and Solar
at Project Bread and that comes with some fun perks
like breakfast on the common in the morning and a
T shirt. So we ask everybody to raise some money
to support support this effort, and again we're looking to
(08:22):
raise over a million dollars.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Okay, that seems completely doable. We can do this. How
can people sign up? You said that you can do
it on the common that day, but also if you
want to do it in advance, start earning, how can
they do that?
Speaker 2 (08:35):
Sure, go to projectbread dot org and forward slash Walk
for Hunger and you can sign up for either doing
it on the common or virtually and or if you can't,
donate to the Walk for Hunger as well.
Speaker 1 (08:48):
Okay, and if somebody is dealing with food in security
and they're listening to this, I mean we've had you
on a few times here on the show. You have
so many great resources. Where can people access those?
Speaker 2 (09:00):
So? I would recommend they call our food source hotline,
which is one eight hundred six four five eight three
three three if they're not able to get to a phone.
We also have a chat feature, so you can go
to projectbread dot org and get help there. Our counselors
work six days a week, they work in the evenings.
They speak I think they speak five languages, but we
(09:20):
can also support anybody in any language. It's confidential that
you know, just a confidential, compassionate conversation with the counselor
who will support you in accessing food. And what we
like to say is, don't wait to call us if
you're already concerned about what could be coming. Don't wait
until you have no food at home to give us
a call. Pick up the phone now and know that
(09:41):
there's there's support available to you.
Speaker 1 (09:43):
Most definitely well erin. Always great to have you on
the show. Thank you so much for all you do
to make sure that our kids that we are fed
and have a great time at the walk.
Speaker 2 (09:53):
Thank you, Nicole, have a great day.
Speaker 1 (09:55):
Have a safe and healthy weekend. Please join me again
next week for another edition of the show. I'm Nicole
Davis from WBZ News Radio on iHeartRadio.
Popular Podcasts
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com