Donations Will Continue Through December 31st

November 22, 2023 [Chicopee, MA] – The 14th Annual March for the Food Bank took place this past Monday and Tuesday and is very close to reaching its targeted fundraising goal of $500,000. As of Wednesday morning, the march had raised $466,069.

The 43-mile, two-day trek from Springfield to Greenfield was led once again by NEPM’s Monte Belmonte. Joining him was Congressman Jim McGovern, the Food Bank’s Executive Director, Andrew Morehouse and Development Director, Jillian Morgan, along with several state and local legislators, including Governor Maura Healy. In her comments to reporters, Healy stressed that hunger is a real issue in Massachusetts for young and old alike and credited the Food Bank and its partners and supporters for all the work being done to end hunger in Western Massachusetts.

“We are deeply touched by the outpouring of support for the march, which has brought us incredibly close to our $500,000 goal,” said Jillian Morgan, Director of Development at the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts. “The power of community, reflected in the kindness of those who marched as fundraisers, the individuals and businesses that generously contributed to the campaign, along with the support of so many state and local government officials, fills our hearts with gratitude.”

As the campaign approaches its goal, Morgan is hoping the the community will join in the final push to make an even greater impact. Reaching its goal of raising $500,000 will provide the equivalent of 1,500,000 meals across the region.

Donations for the march will be accepted through the end of December. Supporters are encouraged to make an online contribution anytime at marchforthefoodbank.org.

关于马萨诸塞州西部食品银行： 自1982年以来，马萨诸塞州西部食品银行一直是消除饥饿的社区合作伙伴。我们通过自己的项目（流动食品银行和“棕色袋子：老年人食品”）以及伯克希尔县、富兰克林县、汉普登县和汉普郡的食品援助网络，直接提供健康且符合当地文化的食物。这些独立的食品储藏室、餐食点和庇护所奋战在一线，为个人、家庭、老年人、儿童、退伍军人和残障人士提供食物和资源，使他们能够过上健康而有意义的生活。食品银行与公众合作开展教育和倡导活动，以解决导致饥饿的系统性问题，并秉持每个人都有权享有健康食物的信念。

媒体联系：

黛布·翁多 (Deb Ondo)，马萨诸塞州西部食品银行通讯与参与经理

debo@foodbankwma.org 电话：413-419-0170。