Walk for Hunger Going Through the Heart of Watertown Sunday
Thursday, April 28, 2011

Watertown Patch

Click here to view the original article in the Watertown Patch.

For years the Walk for Hunger has included a small part of Watertown in its 20-mile route, but on Sunday, May 1 the stream of walkers will stride right through the heart of town.

Due to road and sidewalk work on Nonantum Road, the Walk for Hunger will come down Galen Street and continue across the bridge and head into Watertown Square, then along Charles River Road.

Walkers will then head through the Commanders Gate into Arsenal Park, which will serve as a key stop for participants, said Margaret Sloat, director of development for Project Bread.  The park will be the location of the snack stop.

“We love the change. We think walkers will really enjoy it,” Sloat said. “Arsenal Park is so beautiful. People will want to sit down on the nice grass and have look around. We are hoping this be a permanent change.”

From the park, the walkers will walk along Greenough Boulevard into Cambridge.

In recent years the Walk would go through Watertown on Greenough Boulevard between North Beacon Street and Arsenal Street.

The walk is the primary fund raising for Project Bread, Sloat said.

“The walk accounts for half of our revenue each year,” Sloat said. “The money we raise through Walk for Hunger goes to 400 emergency food programs in 130 communities around the state.”

One program that receives help from Project Bread is the Watertown Food Pantry, Sloat said. The group will also help out during the walk.

“They have been volunteering with us over 10 years at the water stop,” Sloat said. “We moved that to be in Watertown Square. They will have 35 different volunteers throughout the day to hand out water to walkers.”

The Walk may have an impact on local traffic. The eastbound exit off the Mass. Pike at exit 17 will be closed during the heart of the walk, which is expected to be from 10 a.m. to at least 2 p.m.

Traffic will likely be slowed on Galen Street, North Beacon Street, Greenough Boulevard, and Arsenal Street due to walkers walking along the side of the road or crossing the road.

Walkers will be on the sidewalk as the go through Watertown Square.