Project Bread is a food safety organization that has been creating programs to help end hunger in Massachusetts for years. The organization is always looking for volunteers and is also accepting applications for a paid position on its Council of Experts.

The organization has also been involved with the Walk for Hunger fundraiser, increasing awareness of summer hunger programs with the child nutrition outreach program, and meeting with legislators to steward the launch of the statewide Make Hunger History coalition.

Kelly Russell, a member of the Inaugural Project Bread Council, has lived through this experience. She says that food insecurity is often misunderstood as something that can happen to anyone.

“Project Bread does a lot of work across the state, providing resources through its food help hotline. Individuals can call and get local resources where they can go to various pantries, soup kitchens, and places where they can pick up other foods,” Russell said. “During the summer, they have the Summer Eats Program, where any kid up to the age of 18 can go, and they can get a free lunch every day.”

For the second year, the organization is inviting individuals who have experienced food insecurity to help drive lasting change in Massachusetts.

Project Bread also tries to ensure that each person never feels ashamed for using these resources because they need help with food.

Experts who will serve on the council from February 2025 to November 2025 will commit 10 paid hours per month. They will also collaborate with Project Bread’s teams on key programs while learning how to become community and civic leaders who can drive change within communities across the Commonwealth.

“Food insecurity is at an all-time high, and it’s affecting people across socio-economic backgrounds, across geographical locations. Project Bread does amazing work here in Massachusetts to make sure that everybody has access to the food that they want and need,” Russell said. “And so the council brings together people who have lived experience with hunger and food insecurity- together with people who are making policy and who are making the changes. So, those two worlds can come together to create the most inclusive policies for everyone who needs them.”

If you need help with food, you can call Project Bread’s toll-free food source hotline at 1-800-645-8333. The food source hotline connects you to SNAP, free meals for kids and more. Whether you’re a college student, a senior, or a family in need, trained counselors are available to help in over 180 languages. All phone calls are free and confidential.