Earlier this month, members of from the Dartmouth YMCA’s Sharing the Harvest Community Farm were among the thousands of participants who took part in Project Bread’s 53rd annual Walk for Hunger.

For the virtual fundraiser, the group created a route through the Dartmouth Y’s community farm in an effort to help Project Bread get food to families during the ongoing pandemic.

YMCA Southcoast has so far raised $9,500 for the cause, according to a release. 

“Both Project Bread and YMCA Southcoast care about the physical health of the community, more specifically ensuring that families get enough healthy food,” said team co-captain Robyn Branco and YMCA Southcoast Director of Mission Advancement. “The Walk for Hunger is a fun, easy way to generate revenue for the farm while promoting awareness about the realities of food insecurity in Massachusetts.”

According to the Greater Boston Food Bank, one in nine people in Bristol County lived in food insecure homes before the pandemic began. In Dartmouth, the Department of Transitional Assistance found that more than 2,500 residents — and more than 600 children — were on the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (formerly food stamps) in each of the first three months of 2021.

Donations and personal fundraisers for the walk will continue to be made through June 30. To make a contribution, visit www.projectbread.org/walk.