Project Bread

We're excited to welcome Christian Miron to our team as Vice President of Individual Giving! "I am thrilled to join Project Bread because child hunger is a policy choice, and everyone deserves access to healthy, nourishing food with dignity," says Miron. We look forward to continuing to fight against food insecurity with our incredible team. https://lnkd.in/eYAZFHuj

I spoke with the Boston Globe Media yesterday about current rates of food insecurity and the impact of any policies that will increase the price of food.  Today in MA, 1 in 5 families are struggling to put food on the table; these are nearly the same rates as we saw at the height of the pandemic in May of 2020.   At that time, though, the federal government committed to putting supports into place to make affording food easier, and as a result, food insecurity began to decrease. Rates only began to increase when these supports were pulled back as the public health emergency ended and also inflation hit.  Most concerning now is that while we still have those elevated rates of food insecurity, we are hearing of policies that will increase the cost of living, including the cost of food, but instead of conversations about how to help people put food on the table, the rhetoric is focused on weakening the very programs that do so.  At Project Bread we know all too well how easy it is for a family to become food insecure.  Those living paycheck to paycheck are often one crisis away from food insecurity – a lost job, a bad health diagnosis, a dire car repair.  What does this result in? People making difficult choices between paying their heating bill and buying groceries; parents skipping meals for their kids to eat; and households trying hard to make their money go further by purchasing the most inexpensive food available, which is often overprocessed and lacking necessary nutrition. These lead to bad societal outcomes for education, economics, and health. People who are working hard to get by should not have to worry about putting food on the table.   Those who will suffer most are children and I don’t believe anyone wants this as an outcome. https://lnkd.in/erGFQjQ3

Crockpot cooking classes. A teaching kitchen for youth. Breaking down stigma about food insecurity. Our Pathways to Change grant program is just one of the ways you’re empowering communities to identify their unique needs and funding their work to address them. Read about how Greater Fall River Partners for a Healthier Community/United Neighbors of Fall River, La Colaborativa, and Merrimack Valley YMCA created sustainable solutions to food insecurity within the communities they serve. https://lnkd.in/ez4ZU3zt

Yesterday, Project Bread hosted the annual Summer Eats Conference, which brought together partners from across the state to learn and celebrate the incredible people who make Summer Eats happen each year! Thank you to Regina M. Robinson, Ed.D., Deputy Commissioner at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), who inspired the room with her keynote address, Rob Leshin, Director of the Office for Food & Nutrition Programs at DESE, and all who were able to participate in this event. There may be snow on the ground, but we’re preparing for a successful summer of free meals for kids! Learn how your support feeds kids in Massachusetts at https://lnkd.in/g8eNqADM

We want to share an important update with you. After several confusing and chaotic days, the White House Office of Management and Budget memo that ordered the federal funding freeze was rescinded. If enacted, the impacts would've been devastating, negatively impacting the tens of thousands of MA residents we directly serve and the millions of others who utilize Medicaid, school meals, summer meals, WIC, and other critical programs. We will continue to fight back against threats to social safety nets and food security. #MakeHungerHistoryMA https://lnkd.in/dYwW2t-M

Last night I spoke to Erin McAleer of Project Bread about how the Boston nonprofit reacted to the news Monday night that federal funds would be cut off the following day. She and her colleagues started frantically calling anyone and everyone who might have information about whether the food programs Project Bread runs would be affected before hearing Tuesday afternoon that at least two of the main ones would not. "The lack of clarity has been one of the biggest challenges. The total chaos,” she said. Here’s a look at 24 hours of chaos at one vital nonprofit organization in wake of Trump’s freeze on federal funding. #nonprofit #hunger #Boston #federalfunding https://lnkd.in/eXNvxPNm

Our nation’s most effective anti-hunger, anti-poverty, and healthcare programs are under attack, while 1 in 5 households in Massachusetts faces food insecurity. Last night's announcement by the Trump Administration to freeze funding to federal assistance programs — scheduled to go into effect at 5pm today — is void of clarity and causing chaos and confusion where we need leadership. The tens of thousands of MA residents that Project Bread directly serves and the millions of others who utilize Medicaid, school meals, summer meals, WIC, and other critical programs face detrimental impacts from this announcement. These vital programs will suffer further if implemented. We are working fast and furious with our partners to understand the implications. Hang tight, follow along as we continue to share updates, and sign up to join our Action Team for the earliest call to action: https://lnkd.in/epKuaFQu

Levenia Furusa, an alumnus of our first Council of Experts cohort, reflects on why she decided to join, citing advocating for systemic change as one of her top reasons. There's still time to apply for this opportunity to play an active role in tackling food insecurity with us. Submit your application by Feb. 3! https://lnkd.in/efMSqX42

Happy FoodSource Hotline Awareness Week! Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline is the #1 food assistance line for Massachusetts, helping 20,000 people per year. Offering assistance in 180 languages, Project Bread meets your needs with compassion. What Project Bread’s counselors can help you with: - Learn if you are eligible for SNAP (financial assistance for groceries) and help you apply - Find free meals for kids through Summer Eats or School Meals - Find hot meal programs and food pantries - SNAP recipients can learn how and where to use their HIP benefits to purchase farm-fresh produce Free and confidential help is just a call away at 1(800)645-8333. Learn more at the link below and share with your networks! https://lnkd.in/g_nzC9Sj 

Project Bread is officially recruiting for our next Council of Experts with Lived Experience cohort! This paid initiative brings together individuals with lived experience to guide our organization's work. The Council plays a critical role in shaping programs, campaigns, and policies aimed at addressing food insecurity across Massachusetts. Join us!