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Photo by Darlene Wong Cancell. At the 2021 Interfaith Mini Walk for Hunger, many bags of non-perishable food items were collected for area food pantries.
10-15-2022 12:34am
13th Annual Interfaith Mini Walk for Hunger Addresses Critical Need as Area Food Prices Increase by Almost 14 Percent
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Although the average cost in the Boston area for a "market basket" of consumer goods has increased by 8.1 percent in the past year, the prices for "Food at home" have risen much more sharply in the same timeframe, increasing by 13.7 percent, according to data that the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released on Thursday, October 13, 2022 for the Boston-Cambridge-Newton area.
Also, household food insecurity in Massachusetts rose from 12 percent to 18.3 percent in the past year, according to Project Bread, the statewide anti-hunger organization. For households with children, food insecurity rose from around 15 to 16 percent to 26.2 percent. In the Commonwealth, food insecurity is affecting one in four households with kids, says Project Bread.
The mission of Westwood's upcoming annual Interfaith Mini Walk for Hunger appears to be more critical than ever.
Funds collected from this event will go to benefit Project Bread, whose mission statement reads, "Project Bread connects people and communities in Massachusetts to reliable sources of food while advocating for policies that make food more accessible—so that no one goes hungry. "
On the role of the local community coming together to address hunger in the state, Erin McAleer, president and chief executive officer of Project Bread, remarks, "Project Bread wants to provide people with resources that they need. But a lot of times it's hearing from those in your community, those who you trust to say, 'We know that this exists and help is here.' That makes people, who might be reluctant, [ ] reach out and ask for [help].”
On Sunday, October 23, 2022 at 2:00 p.m., Christians, Jews, Muslims, Hindus, and other participants from Westwood and beyond will join together in the 13th annual Interfaith Mini Walk for Hunger, raising both money and awareness for children and families facing food insecurity in Massachusetts. Walk participants will be supported by friends, neighbors, and repeat Gold Sponsors Dedham Savings and Wegmans.
The event is open for participation and there is no requirement that walkers belong to any house of worship. Interested individuals can register to join the group of likeminded neighbors on this walk for good. The 3-mile family-friendly walk will start and end at Temple Beth David in Westwood.
Approximately 100 community members from the Westwood, Dedham, Canton, and Norwood areas participated in last year's event. That walk raised over $13,000, the most in the history of the event's fundraising efforts.
This year, event organizers are once again requesting that walkers also bring non-perishable food items which will be collected upon arrival at Temple Beth David. As was the case last year, while money raised by the Interfaith Mini Walk for Hunger will go to Project Bread, food donations will benefit local food pantries.
Photo by Darlene Wong Cancell. A group of participants in the 2021 Interfaith Mini Walk for Hunger, a fundraiser to alleviate hunger in Massachusetts, began their 3 mile walk on Westwood's Pond Street. Thanks to Temple Beth David for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.
If you or someone you know is experiencing food insecurity, speak to a counselor at Project Bread’s free and confidential food assistance hotline: 800-645-8333. Learn how Project Bread can help by visiting projectbread.org. Additionally, for Westwood residents, short-term grant assistance for food purchases, utility bills and more is available for those experiencing a financial crisis. Apply to Westwood Community Chest for confidential consideration of your grant assistance request.
