Project Bread Annual Report 2009

Dear Friends,

We came to Project Bread, like so many of you, because we feel strongly that no one should go hungry.

And while Project Bread is doing more innovative work than ever before, this year’s economic crisis has left 554,000 people struggling to put food on the table. Calls to the Project Bread FoodSource Hotline soared from 37,000 to nearly 50,000 last year. So, we address you at a time when more people need help than ever before.

Project Bread was ready to respond to the sharp increase in demand for help. Our programs, including projects within larger systems like schools and health centers, are currently serving thousands of children and adults, and, at the same time, advancing our agenda to build enough capacity to help everyone in need.

Last year, we expanded the hours of our Hotline, which coordinates services for low-income families seeking food, just in time for the spike in calls. We had a very strong Walk for Hunger and were able to provide grants for 400 emergency food programs throughout the state. Our Food for Families Program, in partnership with Partners HealthCare, enabled us to give struggling families at community health centers food vouchers and enroll them in food stamps. For frail homebound seniors, Project Bread provides homecare workers with resources to replenish an empty pantry. Our Chefs in Schools healthy food initiative in the Boston Public Schools has become a national model and is a sustainable way to offer low-income school children healthy food that they like to eat.

Project Bread doesn’t reinvent the wheel. Instead, we find ways to partner with existing organizations so the hungry person is well-served, federal revenues are brought into the state, and our donor’s investment yields a high return. Our strategy is balanced: we respond to emergency needs and, at the same time, are committed to projects — like our healthy school meals initiative — that prevent hunger over the long term.

When Project Bread started its work in 1969, no one imagined a year like last year. However, we’re grateful that, when people reached out, we were able to respond. This year’s annual report brings you the personal stories those who’ve been affected by hunger and those who work to help them.

Best wishes,



Robert E. Travaglini
Chair, Project Bread Board of Directors
President, Travaglini Eisenberg Kiley

Sincerely,



Ellen Parker
Executive Director