MARBLEHEAD — Marbleheader Raymond Urban joined thousands of walkers for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. This year, more than 4,500 participants, both in-person and virtual walkers across 20 states and three countries, united to raise more than $1 million (and counting) to ensure everyone in Massachusetts can put food on the table.
Project Bread is the leading statewide food security organizer in Massachusetts. Beginning in 1969 with the first Walk for Hunger, the nonprofit focuses on driving systemic change to ensure people of all ages have reliable access to healthy food. Project Bread works collaboratively across sectors to create innovative solutions to end hunger and improve lives across the Commonwealth.
The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s flagship community fundraiser, brought together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the state. The event took place on May 4, beginning at 9 a.m., and featured family-friendly activities, food and entertainment. This year’s Walk continued its commitment to accessibility with a fully paved route, accommodations for mobility devices and the presence of American Sign Language interpreters and multilingual staff.
“It is becoming more and more difficult for people to afford enough to eat,” Eric McAleer, president and CEO of Project Bread said. “One in five families with kids are worried about where their next meal will come from. The Walk for Hunger is our opportunity to make an immediate difference in the lives of thousands of our neighbors. The people — our walkers, volunteers and donors — are what make the Walk for Hunger such a powerful event. Together, as a community, we’re making sure people can access food with dignity and choice each day.”
Urban first laced up for the Walk for Hunger in 1983 after learning about it through his future wife and her work with Lazarus House. Now 73, Urban just completed his 41st walk — this time virtually — with three generations of his family, walking a scenic route from his son’s home in Lexington through the Great Meadow and along the Minutemen Bikeway.
During a surprise downpour, the family huddled under an auto dealership awning, sharing laughs and gratitude for food, shelter and one another. Urban, an architect and Christian, has raised an estimated $60,000 for Project Bread over four decades and achieved his $2,400 goal for the 2025 Walk for Hunger fundraising campaign.
“Jesus Christ said feed the hungry, and that is what you do,” Urban said. “I think of my dad, who lived through hard and good times. His lived life reminds us to be thankful for full bellies, warm roofs and family and friends. Hunger for our neighbors is a failure of our government, our communities and ourselves. Sometimes reaching out a helping hand looks like walking in the rain for a cause that feeds others.”
Fundraising through the Walk for Hunger will continue through the summer. Donate directly to Urban’s fundraiser at: tinyurl.com/Urban-Walks.
People facing food insecurity should call into Project Bread’s toll-free FoodSource Hotline (800-645-8333), which provides confidential, free assistance getting connected to a variety of food resources in 180 languages and for the hearing impaired. Counselors can pre-screen families and help them to apply for SNAP. For more information, visit: projectbread.org/get-help.
