Special to the Gazette
On May 3, Ada Martinez, of Mission Hill, will join thousands of walkers for Project Bread’s 58th Walk for Hunger. Participants will walk a 3-mile loop on the Boston Common or virtually in their own neighborhoods to raise funds that support children and families facing food insecurity across the Commonwealth. This year’s Walk is expected to raise over $1 million to fund Project Bread’s proven statewide programs to ensure access to nutritious food for all.
Now in its 58th year, The Walk for Hunger remains the organization’s flagship community event, bringing together families, friends, and neighbors in a celebration of compassion and action. The event kicks off Sunday, May 3 at 9 a.m. with food, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. The route is fully accessible, and ASL interpreters and multilingual staff will be present to ensure everyone can participate.
“Every step we take at The Walk for Hunger is a step toward a future where no family has to worry about their next meal,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread. “Our walkers and supporters are turning their compassion into action. Together, we’re not just walking—we’re building a stronger, more food-secure Massachusetts.”
At just nine years old, Ada Martinez experienced homelessness and food insecurity. Moving from home to home and facing the uncertainty of not knowing where her next meal would come from, this was an experience that continues to shape her commitment to Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger today. Now, as a returning walker, Martinez is stepping into a new role as a team captain for the 2026 event, leading her team, “Take Care <3,” which she created to bring people together after walking alone in 2025. Since first being introduced to The Walk in middle school, Martinez has remained connected to the cause. Walking in person on Sunday, May 3 on Boston Common, she is driven not only by her personal journey but also by a desire to raise awareness, spark conversations, and ensure others in her community don’t have to face the same challenges. Her growing team of eight aims to raise $1,000.
“No one—especially a child—should ever have to wonder where their next meal is coming from,” says Martinez. “Access to food is a basic human right, and I’m grateful to now be in a position where I can help others.”
Donate directly to Ada Martinez’s fundraiser at give.projectbread.org/TakeCareAda. To register as a participant for Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger, or to support a walker or team with a donation, visit give.projectbread.org/walk. All individual walkers are encouraged to fundraise a minimum of $25 and teams $250. Participants who raise $500 or more are recognized as Heart & Sole walkers and receive access to personalized fundraising support, exclusive event gear, free breakfast on Walk Day, and invitations to exclusive events.
People experiencing food insecurity should call Project Bread’s FoodSource Hotline (1-800-645-8333), 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. Learn more at projectbread.org/get-help.
Project Bread is the leading statewide food security organization 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. For more information, visit: www.projectbread.org.