Project Bread, the state’s leading antihunger organization, has awarded $213,000 in grants to emergency food programs throughout Southeastern Massachusetts, including the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, through funds raised by the 44th annual Walk for Hunger,. The grants will support programs such as food pantries, schools, farms, food banks, food salvage programs, and other community organizations providing hunger relief. Over 43,000 supporters walked to raise money to help the hungry.

"We will use our Project Bread grant to purchase fresh produce and dairy products," Moira Coffey, the business manager for the Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless, said. "We have seen a significant increase in working families and individuals coming to our food pantry who fall between the cracks. Low income families and individuals have very limited access to fresh produce, dairy products, and other nutritious foods. The Project Bread funds will assist our organization in providing nutritious foods to all levels of struggling households in our community.”

The Coalition is one of 57 agencies benefitting from these grants. Emergency food programs are a vital resource for people who struggle with hunger, something an estimated 750,000 people in Massachusetts experience. Last year, Project Bread–funded emergency food programs across the state reported serving 61 million meals to those in need.

"As we begin to think about the holidays it’s essential to remember those who are struggling to put food on the table for their families," Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread, said. "We owe them as great a measure of relief as possible to get through these difficult times."

Statewide, Project Bread’s Walk for Hunger is funding over 430 food programs in 125 communities. Below is a partial list of the 57 grant recipients in the southeastern area. For a complete listing, visit www.projectbread.org/fundedagencies.

• Brockton Neighborhood Health Center (Brockton)
• Coyle and Cassidy High School Food Pantry (Taunton)
• Greater New Bedford Community Health Center (New Bedford)
• Greater Fall River Community Food Pantry (Fall River)
• Hebron Food Pantry, Inc. (Attleboro)
• Plymouth Area Coalition for the Homeless (Plymouth-Kingston)

From a release by Project Bread