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Date: 12/1/2021
WESTERN MASS. – For the 12th straight year, Monte Belmonte, radio personality at WSRI 93.9 – The River, led a 43-mile, two-day trek across various locations in Western Massachusetts to raise awareness of food insecurity.
The walk – which included state legislators, school groups, and organizations throughout the Pioneer Valley – also raises money to provide healthy meals for households at risk of hunger in Western Massachusetts.
From Nov. 22 to 23, Belmont pushed an empty shopping cart, as a metaphor for hunger, from Springfield to Greenfield. The first day mainly featured Hampden County towns and cities, while Belmonte and company used the second day to walk through Hampshire County. People were encouraged to donate to the march to benefit the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.
“There was a time in the 1980s – which unfortunately persists today – when people would talk about self-sufficiency,” said Andrew Morehouse, the executive director of the Food Bank. “We know as a society that there’s no such thing as self-sufficiency. My goal at the Food Bank right now is all about fundraising. I’ve heard so many stories of a people of modest means and of great means that shared with me personally and privately that they’re giving because they experienced food insecurity.”
The theme of this year’s march is “End Hunger Now!,” which is an oft-used phrase by Congressman Jim McGovern during his local and national hunger-relief legislative work. The congressman is currently urging the federal government to convene a White House Hunger Conference to address food, nutrition, hunger, and health in the United States.
“The fact that so many folks were able to join us again when they weren’t last year has made us feel enlivened and happy,” Belmonte told Reminder Publishing during his walk. The radio host said the goal of the walk is very multi-faceted. With the Food Bank supporting over 200 agencies, Belmonte said that a major goal is to feed as many people as possible today. “Another part of [the walk] is ending the stigma of when it comes to having to rely on emergency food … to remind people that it is okay to ask for help when you need it, and it’s great to give help when you can,” he added.
The final important facet of the walk, according to Belmonte, is to advocate for change. He said that it was inspiring to see elected officials like state Reps. Patricia Duffy, Lindsay Sabadosa, Mindy Domb, Natalie Blais, and Paul Mark and state Sen. Jo Comerford join the group for the walk at various points.
“We’re excited to see what Congressman McGovern might end up being able to do with his proposed White House conference, which has a really ambitious goal of ending hunger before the year 2030,” Belmonte added. “I don’t think that’s out of the realm of possibility, and I want to help lend wind for that sail.”
The goal of the walk was to raise $500,000; in total, the walk raised $508,000.
In the last 12 months, the Food Bank has provided the equivalent of more than 11 million meals, which is down 12 percent from the previous year when the pandemic was at its peak. Despite that, the frequency of meals handed out is still 9 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels. With $500,000 raised, around 2 million meals could be facilitated in one calendar year.
“We’re making food happen; we’re making change happen; we’re advocating for change, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Belmonte.