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Photo by Connie Rizoli. A large group of participants from faith communities in Westwood and area towns participated in the 17th annual Interfaith Walk to End Hunger on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
10-28-2026 8:02am
In 17th Year, Interfaith Walkers Raise More than $19,000 to Help End Hunger in Massachusetts
Darlene Cancell
Editor
Thanks to Gail Mann, Connie Rizoli, and Project Bread for contributing this news to Westwood Minute.
On Sunday, October 25, a glorious fall morning greeted participants from Westwood and surrounding towns who took part in the 17th annual Interfaith Walk to End Hunger, an event that raised more than $19,000 for Project Bread, which works to make food more accessible and affordable to residents across Massachusetts.
One local organizer called this year's fundraising total a "record-breaking" amount. In 2021, in the event's 13th year, organizers described fundraising of more than $13,000 as record-breaking.
The annual event, hosted by Temple Beth David in Westwood, was again held in partnership with area houses of worship, including Westwood's Temple Beth David, St. Joan of Arc, St. John's Westwood, and First Parish of Westwood; Medfield's Church of the Advent; Dedham's St. Susanna's Parish Dedham; Norwood's Emmanuel Lutheran Church and First Congregational Church Norwood; and Sharon's Islamic Center of New England.
Photo by Debra Grossbaum. Community members from houses of worship in Westwood and surrounding towns gathered at Temple Beth David for the Interfaith Walk to End Hunger and to raise funds for Project Bread.Gail Mann, Chair of the Social Action Committee at Temple Beth David, expressed her deep gratitude to the volunteers, walkers, houses of worship, and local business sponsors who she said joined together in peace to help feed neighbors in desperate need.
Christian Miron, Vice President of Individual Giving at Project Bread, said, “For 17 years, this community has shown that ending hunger is a shared responsibility. At a time when so many Massachusetts families are struggling to put food on the table, that commitment matters more than ever. Thank you all for coming together to support our neighbors and advocate for lasting change. Together, we can move closer to a Massachusetts where everyone has the food they need to thrive.”
Photo by Connie Rizoli. Local faith leaders shared remarks at the Interfaith Walk to End Hunger.After a short speaking program, participants began the traditional three-mile walk through Westwood neighborhoods. More than 70 community members attended this year's walk. Some pushed strollers or walked with leashed dogs in tow. This year, organizers introduced a more accessible two-mile route as well. Walkers also brought food donations for local food pantries.
Photo by Connie Rizoli. Food donations are being sorted outside Westwood's Temple Beth David at the 17th annual Interfaith Walk to End Hunger."Hunger doesn't stop at a town line or at the door of any one congregation,” said Erin McAleer, Project Bread CEO. “When people from different traditions walk side by side, they make a public case that no one in Massachusetts should have to wonder where their next meal is coming from, and every dollar raised today goes toward making that true."
According to the 6th Annual Massachusetts Food Access Report by The Greater Boston Food Bank with Mass General Brigham, food insecurity has more than doubled over six years. It rose from 19 percent of Massachusetts households in 2019 to 40 percent in 2025. Project Bread explained the rise in part to cuts to SNAP in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, passed in July 2025, which have the organization said has added pressure on families who rely on federal nutrition programs to put food on the table.
Funds from the Interfaith Walk to End Hunger will support Project Bread's FoodSource Hotline and its efforts to keep children fed through school and summer meals. The money also backs the organization's policy advocacy, including its leadership of the Make Hunger History Coalition, a statewide network of more than 700 partners working to end hunger in Massachusetts permanently. Donations will be collected through November.
People experiencing food insecurity can call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline at 1-800-645-8333 to receive confidential, free assistance in getting connected to a variety of food resources. Assistance is available for the hearing impaired and in 180 languages. Counselors can also pre-screen families and help them to apply for SNAP. More information on getting help is available at projectbread.org/get-help.
