Boston Assistance Agencies Receive $737,278 From Project Bread to Relieve Hunger in Tough Times

Boston Assistance Agencies Receive $737,278 From Project Bread to Relieve
Hunger in Tough Times

Percussion Sensation STOMP Partners with Project Bread to STOMP Out Hunger!

BOSTON, Oct. 5 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A large gift of funds has been
awarded to Boston-area hunger relief agencies to support their work throughout
the long winter ahead. Project Bread, the state's leading anti-hunger
organization, distributed $616,825 to 91 emergency food services as part of
its annual Appreciation and Grant Award Ceremony at the Colonnade Hotel Boston
last night.

In these and other grants in 2009, Project Bread contributed a total of
$737,278 for hunger relief programs in Boston. These agencies are among 400
emergency food programs in 135 cities and towns across Massachusetts to
receive money from Project Bread's Walk for Hunger, which supports food
pantries, meal programs, food banks, and food salvage programs. Despite the
economic downturn, Walkers raised $3.8 million, making this year's Walk the
second most successful Walk ever!

Audience members at the event were surprised with a special performance from
the international percussion sensation, STOMP, playing at the Cutler Majestic
Theatre through October 18. As part of the troupe's promotion to STOMP Out
Hunger!, Project Bread received a $10 donation for every ticket sold for their
opening night performance.

Project Bread-funded agencies reported serving 57 million meals in 2008, the
highest number of meals ever recorded. The demand shows no sign of abating,
with the current food and fuel crisis compounded by unemployment. Project
Bread will present startling statistics and compelling analyses about the
prevalence and effects of hunger in Massachusetts in its 2009 Status Report
due to be released next month.

Ellen Parker, the executive director of Project Bread, spoke of the tremendous
effort to raise the money to fund the emergency food programs: "Approximately
100,000 people are behind the money raised through the Walk for Hunger,"
Parker said. "We applaud the corporate and individual sponsors, the 50,000
donors, the 2,000 volunteers, and the 44,000 walkers who turned out to help
these Massachusetts programs."

Over 100 Boston agencies receiving grants from Project Bread have made great
contributions in the fight against hunger. These include (please call for
complete list):

-- Wednesday Night Supper Club at The Paulist Center
-- American Red Cross of Mass Bay/Boston Food Pantry
-- Women's Lunch Place
-- Boston Medical Center/Preventative Food Pantry
-- Pine Street Inn

-- Catholic Charities/Yawkey Center Food Pantry

"Bay Cove struggles to find the balance between the rise in food costs and not
wanting to raise the price of our meals," said Allison DeMasi, food unit
supervisor at the Boston human services agency. "Each day, the kitchen serves
lunch to over 60 clients struggling with mental illness. With this year's
grant, we're hoping to be able to provide more garden-fresh fruits and
vegetables and nutritious ingredients."

About Project Bread
As the state's leading antihunger organization, Project Bread is dedicated to
alleviating, preventing, and ultimately ending hunger in Massachusetts.
Through The Walk for Hunger, the oldest continual pledge walk in the country,
Project Bread provides millions of dollars each year in privately donated
funds to over 400 emergency food programs in 135 communities statewide.
Project Bread also advocates systemic solutions that prevent hunger in
children and that provide food to families in natural, everyday settings. The
organization has invested millions in grants to community organizations that
feed children where they live, learn, and play. For more information, visit
http://www.projectbread.org

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Ellen Parker
https://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=56173

CONTACT:
Brooke MacKinnon, 617.239.2524
Brooke_MacKinnon@projectbread.org

SOURCE Project Bread

Brooke MacKinnon of Project Bread, +1-617-239-2524,
Brooke_MacKinnon@projectbread.org