Brookline Named 4th Most Generous City in Massachusetts
Monday, April 30, 2012
By: Project Bread

Residents Continue to Nourish Food Programs through The Walk for Hunger

(Boston, MA – April 6, 2012)  Brookline was once again named one of the top ten “most generous cities” by Project Bread – The Walk for Hunger, the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, for its contribution of almost 500 Walkers and nearly $80,000 to fight hunger through the 2011 Walk for Hunger. The total raised by 40,000 Walkers was $3.6 million with funds distributed throughout the state.

The money raised through The Walk for Hunger allows Project Bread to fund hunger relief and prevention through over 450 emergency programs, schools, community health centers, farmers’ markets, community suppers, home care organizations, and other programs. Last year alone, Project Bread was able to provide 65.2 million meals to hungry people.

Cecilia Zhou, of Brookline, has raised over $3,000 in four years as a Walk for Hunger participant. She is proud to be a Heart & Sole Walker, meaning she is someone who raises more than $500 each Walk.  Zhou, who participated in her first Walk in 2009, explains what draws her to the every year and what she likes the most about it, “So many other fundraisers are either intimidating or way too easy. The Walk for Hunger is both challenging and average-Joe-friendly.” She adds, “Who doesn't want to walk around Boston in the spring?”

This year, Project Bread hopes to raise even more funds at the 44^th Walk for Hunger on Sunday, May 6^th. “The need is greater than ever and this year, every dollar, every mile, and every volunteer hour counts,” says Ellen Parker, Executive Director of Project Bread. “We urge our Walkers to understand that no contribution is too small. The magic of the Walk is that each and every contribution adds up to a significant amount of help for people struggling throughout the year ahead.”

Other cities and towns that placed on the top ten Walk most generous list, in rank order: 1) Boston, 2) Newton, 3) Cambridge, 4) Brookline, 5) Somerville, 6) Arlington, 7) Wellesley, 8) Belmont, 9) Watertown and 10) Quincy.

There’s still time to register and donate to The Walk for Hunger, visit www.projectbread.org/walk, or call 617-723-5000.

About Project Bread

As the state’s leading anti-hunger organization, Project Bread is dedicated to alleviating, preventing, and ultimately ending hunger in Massachusetts. Through The Walk for Hunger, the oldest continual pledge walk in the country, Project Bread provides millions of dollars each year in privately donated funds to over 400 emergency food programs in 135 communities statewide. Project Bread also advocates systemic solutions that provide food for families in natural, everyday settings, such as schools, after-school programs, summer programs, community health centers, hospitals, and home care organizations. For more information, visit www.projectbread.org.