On Sunday, May 7, staff members, volunteers, community partners, and members of YMCA Southcoast will be among the thousands of participants to lace up for Project Bread’s 55th Annual Walk for Hunger. 

A team from the YMCA’s Sharing the Harvest Community Farm will be walking in solidarity with those participating in the nation’s oldest continual pledge walk, which takes place on the first Sunday each May on the Boston Common. 

All are invited to participate in the local Walk for Hunger beginning at 9 a.m. at Apponagansett Park and proceeding on a three-mile loop through Padanaram Village.

Sixty percent of all funds raised by team Sharing the Harvest-YMCA Southcoast will go directly to support the farm in growing nutritious fruits and vegetables for residents in need in Bristol and Plymouth counties. The remaining 40 percent will be applied to statewide anti-hunger efforts, including funding for school and community meal sites and a hotline that connects residents with a range of nutrition assistance resources including Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and Healthy Incentive Program access.

The coronavirus pandemic fueled a hunger crisis unlike any other in recent years, according to Project Bread. At its peak, 19.6% of Massachusetts households were food insecure. The current rate of 18.6% means that too many households are still struggling with food insecurity across the state, Project Bread officials said.

The walk is expected to raise more than $1 million to support Project Bread’s work to increase food access for people of all ages in Massachusetts. 

To learn more and join the Sharing the Harvest-YMCA Southcoast team visit ymcasouthcoast.org/2022/11/04/walk-for-hunger-2023