Project Bread is a nonprofit organization that works to reduce food insecurity throughout Massachusetts. Founded in 1969 by Patrick Hughes, the organization has helped pass many milestones to create equal and equitable access to food resources for low-income families throughout Massachusetts. Its first big feat was the Boston Walk for Hunger, an event that happens nationally and annually today, where roughly two thousand people walked 29.6 miles in Boston and raised $26,000 for people experiencing hunger and raise awareness on the social injustice of unequal food access.
This program serves the Massachusetts community, especially low-income individuals who are experiencing food insecurity. Currently, they help provide resources for reliable food access, and advocate for policies that make food more accessible, whether it be in school, at the local farmer’s market, etc. Its headquarters is in East Boston, MA. The current executives are Erin McAleer (President, CEO) and Brooke Lochiatto (Executive Assistant). It is a very large team, and as such has many other nonprofits as Advisory Council. Their mission statement consists of a commitment to making sure people in Massachusetts can afford to eat; diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice: sustainability, accessibility; helping push policies and bills that advocate for anti-hunger throughout Massachusetts. A quote from Erin McAleer reads as follows, “Hunger in Massachusetts is simply unacceptable. This is a solvable problem, and all of us can do our part. When we all take action, we exercise our collective power.”
The program has had many successes since its creation. Though there is still more work to do when it comes to food accessibility for all, the work that this organization has done has further proven that it can be done. One of their successes was that in 2023, they helped pass a bill that allowed for free school meals to be permanent in Massachusetts. It becomes the eighth state to achieve this. Project Bread has also pioneered the Children Nutrition Outreach Program, which partners with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to support school meal programs, and help children access healthy meals during the school year and summers. They also worked to adopt universal breakfast in low-income schools throughout MA. Finally, they worked with the MA Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) to launch the state-wide Healthy Incentives Program, which helps low-income use their SNAP benefits to shop at farmer’s markets and local vendors to purchase more fresh fruits and vegetables. Overall, they have helped pioneered many programs that have actively assisted in providing resources for low-income individuals and food security, and continue to fight for equal access for all.
Contact:
Address: 145 Border Street, East Boston, MA 02128
Email: info@projectbread.org
Telephone: 617-723-5000
