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The Walk for Hunger

Learn how you can support the largest community fundraiser to alleviate hunger in Massachusetts and raise the issue of hunger in our state.

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Children in Walk for Hunger t-shirts hold hands as they walk in front of adults.

May 7, 2023 | Boston Common

The Walk for Hunger | 2023

Ready to help your neighbors facing hunger? Start your personal fundraiser or fundraising team today and start raising money to fund solutions that increase food access across Massachusetts, so no one goes hungry!

Registration for the 55th Walk for Hunger will open mid-February 2023

We're working now to get it all set up for you to register as soon as possible! We are hoping to have it open for you by mid-February. We can't wait to Walk with you, too —thank you!

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The 54th Walk for Hunger | 2022 Virtual

Watch our Walk Day Livestream

Project Bread streamed live on Facebook Sunday morning, May 1, 2022 to celebrate 1,593 walkers all across the country helping their neighbors living without enough to eat by raising funds and awareness walking in their communities. 

We're leaving our marks all over social media with #WalkForHunger and tagging @ProjectBread.

Little girl with glasses beams while wearing a Walk for Hunger bandana as a cape Starts Line

The Walk for Hunger | EST 1969

An extraordinary event sustained by ordinary people.

Over five decades, The Walk for Hunger has generated more than a hundred million dollars -  through individual contributions of less than $100 - to fund solutions to hunger in Massachusetts.

Donate to The Walk

Help raise $1 million for hunger relief in Massachusetts.

In 1969, The Walk for Hunger was founded on the promise, by the people of Massachusetts, to provide relief to our neighbors struggling with food insecurity. Although events on Sunday, May 1, 2022 will take place virtually, our promise remains the same.

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The Walk for Hunger | 2022

Promote The Walk

Help spread the word about The 2022 Walk for Hunger!

The Walk for Hunger | 2022

Offline Fundraising Tools

Use these resources to keep track of cash or check gifts.

  • Donation Tally Cards

    Do you mail in checks or donations? Make sure to include a Tally Card in the envelope so we can credit you - or your team - for your fundraising!

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  • Donation Pledge Sheet

    Prefer to fundraise offline? Print this donation or pledge tracker to keep track of your donors and fundraising total.

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The Walk for Hunger

Fundraising Ideas

Your 2021 Impact

A Community Response for COVID-19 Hunger Crisis Relief

Events for the 53rd Walk for Hunger were held virtually on May 2, 2021, and dedicated supporters got active in their neighborhoods and communities, raising more than $1.1 million to get COVID-19 food relief to kids and families across the state.

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A large group of people wearing masks and Walk for Hunger shirts, and a puppy, participate virtually in 2021 Starts Line
The Commonwealth fundraising share program Starts Line

Funding Opportunity for Anti-Hunger Partners

The Commonwealth

Through The Walk for Hunger's program called The Commonwealth, your organization can form a fundraising team and keep 60% of the funds for your own work.

Anti-hunger partners across Massachusetts have already started joining the Commonwealth and forming teams to take advantage of this great funding opportunity for their work.

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Why Walk?

For a generation, The Walk for Hunger has been the achievement not of individuals or particular groups, but of an entire community.

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“Having enough food is a basic human right, and Project Bread's Walk for Hunger is one of the most important causes that I support.”

Heart & Sole Fundraiser and 29-year Walker, 2019 Walk for Hunger

Your Legacy

Over five decades of impact

In 1969, Patrick Hughes had an idea; The Walk for Hunger. He put his revolutionary idea into action, to catalyze five decades of social justice, grassroots activism, and anti-hunger impact in Massachusetts. 

Innovation

1969

The 1st Pledge Walk in the Country

A group of activists from the Paulist Center in downtown Boston, led by Patrick Hughes, established the very first pledge walk in the country. An estimated 2,000 people walked an astounding 29.6 mile trek through Quincy, raising $26,000 to help fund two hunger projects. The Walk had two purposes: raise funds to help people experiencing hunger and stand together for social justice and social change that would eventually eliminate hunger. This is still true today and continues to be an annual force for change. 

Old faded photo of a large group of people facing the camera at the first Walk for Hunger in Boston Starts Line

Building on Success

1970

The Walk moves to Boston

After the success of the first Walk for Hunger, Patrick moves the event to Boston, where it has stayed for five decades. 2,000 concerned citizens once again come together and walk 25 miles, a slightly shorter route.

The Walk for Hunger 1970 at Governement Center Starts Line

Hitting stride

1973

Reducing the route

The Walk for Hunger route is reduced from 25 miles to 20 miles—the same distance it is today. About 1,000 people complete the new route that takes them from Government Center through the South End, South Boston, Beacon Hill, and Allston, and finishes at the Boston Common.

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The 1st decade

1979

Celebrating 10 Years of Impact

With nearly 10% of people in Massachusetts living below the poverty line, hunger persists in the Commonwealth. Nearly 3,000 people participate in the 10th Anniversary of The Walk for Hunger and help raise much needed funds, grants were awarded to 34 emergency food programs.

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Fundraising Milestone

1985

The 1st Million-Dollar Walk

The first time The Walk for Hunger raised $1 million! 11,000 people participated to help feed hungry families in Massachusetts, including, then Senator, John Kerry. 

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Going Strong

1999

The Walk for Hunger’s 30th anniversary

Despite a strong economy, hunger was continuing to rise in Massachusetts. Concerned citizens in the Bay State filled Boston Common to participate, raising $3 million to support more than 350 emergency food programs.

The Walk for Hunger 1992 Starts Line

COVID-19 Crisis Response

2020

Going virtual

The Walk was less than a month away when the state shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic reaching Massachusetts. For the first time ever, The Walk for Hunger occurred virtually. Despite not being together, 1,700 participants raised $1.3 million, funds that were instrumental in enabling Project Bread to rapidly respond to the COVID-19 hunger crisis in the early days of closures and layoffs.  

two walkers with masks smile for a selfie as they walk their own route for the 2020 Walk for Hunger that went virtual for the first time Starts Line

COVID-19 Crisis Response

2021

Fundraising virtually from 29 states

The Walk for Hunger celebrated its 52nd year virtually for the 2nd year due to health concerns of the pandemic. That didn't stop 1,545 participants and 241 teams from raising $1.3 million for COVID-19 hunger relief, many walking in their "pods" on the first Sunday in May, across the state—and across the country.

A man wearing a mask has wide open arms as he walks through Boston Common as a virtual walk with his team from Boston St. Paul's Cathedral for the 2022 virtual Walk for Hunger Starts Line
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