March 31, 2025 Submitted by Sarah Zhitnik
On May 4, Matt Stephansky, of Hingham, will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. He will be among over 3,500 participants, both in-person and virtual, to walk the 3-mile loop around the Boston Common or in their own neighborhoods. The one-day community event will raise more than $1 million to support the leading statewide food security organization’s approach to ensure food access for all children and families in Massachusetts.
The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s flagship community fundraiser, brings together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the Commonwealth. 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. Beginning in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the nation, money raised from The Walk for Hunger is critical to fund Project Bread’s statewide work for systemic change for hunger relief.
“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. The people – our walkers, volunteers, and donors – 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.”
First introduced to Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger by a previous employer in 2009, Stephansky has been participating in the annual fundraiser ever since. The Hingham paraeducator and coach has raised nearly $15,000 for the cause over his 17 years of participation. Stephansky is passionate about helping children in need. He treats every year as another opportunity to help give kids free meals during the summer to bridge the hunger gap that occurs when schools break for the season. He will hit the pavement on Boston Common and go on to walk 20 miles around the city. This year, he has a goal to raise $1,000 to help eradicate food insecurity in Massachusetts.
“There were times when food insecurity was a factor in my life,” says Stephansky. “I have always reflected on those times through my fundraising and walking efforts and vowed to do whatever I can to help other kids have food alternatives. Especially during the summer when students are away from school structure, it’s important that food resources are more readily available.”
Donate directly to Stephansky’s fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/fundraiser/6108223. 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
