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History of The Walk for Hunger
Since 1969, Project Bread's Walk for Hunger has provided critical resources for hungry children and families in Massachusetts. Today, The Walk for Hunger is the oldest continual pledge walk in the country and the largest annual one-day fundraiser to alleviate local hunger. On the first Sunday in May, caring people from every background, united in the spirit of helping others, come together to take part in the wonderful Massachusetts tradition to help feed hungry families in their community. Here's a look back at four decades of concerned citizens feeding people and nourishing hope.
June 1969
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A group of activists from the Paulist Center, led by Patrick Hughes, establish The Walk for Hunger. Approximately 2,000 people set out on a 29.6-mile trek through Quincy on Sunday, June 8, 1969. Participants raise $26,000 to fund two hunger projects.
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| May 1970 |
The first Walk for Hunger in Boston. 2,000 concerned citizens participate in the shortened 25-mile route. |
| May 1973 |
The Walk for Hunger route is reduced from 25 miles to 20 miles. Approximately 1,000 people complete the route, which takes them from Government Center through the South End, South Boston, Beacon Hill, and Allston, and finishes at the Boston Common. |
| May 1979 |
With nearly 10 percent of the state's citizens living below the poverty line, hunger persists in the Commonwealth. Nearly 3,000 people participate in the tenth anniversary of The Walk for Hunger and help raise funds for 34 emergency food programs. |
| May 1985 |
The first million-dollar Walk for Hunger. With the current route mostly established, 11,000 Walkers raise more than $1 million to help feed hungry families in Massachusetts. |
| May 1999 |
Despite a strong economy, hunger continues to rise in Massachusetts. Concerned citizens in the Bay State participate and raise $3 million to support more than 350 emergency food programs. |
| May 2008 |
The 40th Walk for Hunger sets new records when an estimated 40,000 Walkers, 2,000 Volunteers, 50,000 donors, and more than 35 corporate sponsors raise over $4 million to help feed hungry people in Massachusetts. |
| May 2010 |
Food insecurity continues to rise in Massachusetts with 554,000 people struggling to put food on the table. The most vulnerable among us — children, the elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed — have been devastated by the impact of widespread unemployment, foreclosures, and sky-rocketing health care costs. We were down 5 percent before the Walk and put out a call for help. Support from our Walkers, Volunteers, donors, corporate and media sponsors poured in and we reached our goal of raising $3.8 million for hungry people! 42,000 Walkers and 2,000 Volunteers came out in droves to help. Thank you!
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