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Neighbor News
Adriana Mendes-Sheldon Raises Money for Statewide Hunger Relief
Diana, Community Contributor
WOBURN, Mass. – On May 4, Adriana Mendes-Sheldon, of Woburn, will step up for Project Bread’s 57th Walk for Hunger. She will be among over 3,500 participants, both in-person and virtual, to walk the 3-mile loop around the Boston Common or in their own neighborhoods. The one-day community event will raise more than $1 million to support the leading statewide food security organization’s approach to ensure food access for all children and families in Massachusetts.
The Walk for Hunger, Project Bread’s flagship community fundraiser, brings together a diverse community dedicated to ensuring food security across the Commonwealth. The celebration is set for Sunday, May 4 at 9 a.m. and will feature family-friendly activities, food and entertainment. This year’s Walk will remain an accessible route on the fully paved sidewalks, allowing people with mobility devices, young children, and other needs to participate. ASL interpreters and multilingual staff will be present throughout the event. Beginning in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the nation, money raised from The Walk for Hunger is critical to fund Project Bread’s statewide work for systemic change for hunger relief.
“It is becoming more and more difficult for people to afford enough to eat,” says Erin McAleer, President & CEO of Project Bread. “One in 5 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.” Mendes-Sheldon was recently recognized by Profiles in Leadership Journal as a 2025 Top Hispanic and Latino Leader for her unwavering dedication to addressing the root causes of hunger and poverty in Massachusetts. As Director of Community Partnerships at Project Bread, she brings a powerful perspective as a Latina leader—bridging cultural understanding with advocacy and ensuring that diverse voices are included in efforts to end hunger permanently. Since joining Project Bread in 2022, Mendes-Sheldon has directed over $300,000 in community investment grants. She also leads a statewide community of practice that brings together food security leaders and individuals with lived experience, fostering mutual learning, resource sharing, and authentic collaboration.In May, she will join Project Bread staff and Council of Experts ambassadors in Washington D.C. for the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC) National Anti-Hunger Policy Conference. Mendes-Sheldon’s work not only addresses immediate needs but builds long-term resilience. In doing so, she continues to inspire and uplift others in the fight against food insecurity, and she is a role model throughout the organization and her community."As a Latina leader, I carry the stories of my community with me,” says Mendes-Sheldon “This work is personal—about honoring dignity, dismantling systems that cause hunger, and ensuring no one is left behind. Ending food insecurity is more than providing food; it’s about building trust, mobilizing action, and creating lasting change. When we lead with love and purpose, change becomes inevitable. I’m proud to be part of Project Bread, and I believe Massachusetts can be the first hunger-free state. The Walk for Hunger is a powerful reminder of what we can achieve together, and I’m excited to walk with so many passionate people committed to change!"Donate directly to Mendes-Sheldon’s fundraiser at https://give.projectbread.org/fundraiser/6125204. 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.
About Project BreadProject 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.
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