Event Details
November 25-26, 2024
Donations accepted until 12/31/24
Every year the Food Bank and Monte Belmonte lead a march against hunger for the 43 miles from Springfield to Greenfield. Monte, Congressman Jim McGovern, Food Bank Executive Director Andrew Morehouse, and supporters fundraise to support the mission of the Food Bank and spread awareness about how hunger effects people throughout the region.
For the 15th March for the Food Bank, our goal is to raise $500,000 – the equivalent of 1,500,000 meals!
The community is encouraged to make donations by phone or online while Monte and the marchers make their way across three counties, and both WRSI and NEPM will be airing special programming about food insecurity and Hunger during the days of the march.
Can't make it out to the March? You can also support our efforts by purchasing a Monte's Mixed Bag. Each of the 100 exclusive bags is filled with a unique combination of goodies and gift cards, and will become available at State Street Market and Coopers Corner November 11th for a donation of $100.
November 25th - Springfield to Northampton
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The first day begins with a 6:30 a.m. kickoff ceremony at Martin Luther King Jr Community Center in Springfield. Coffee and small bites are available to fuel the first day's trek to Northampton, and featured speakers express their appreciation to all of those who make this event possible. At 7 a.m., the March begins weaving its way through Springfield and Chicopee and up to Holyoke. It makes various stops along the way including NEPM, Chicopee Town Center, Lorraine's Soup Kitchen, and Kates Kitchen, where Food Bank partners, legislators, and community members take time out of their days to join the March or cheer it on. |
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Monday's lunch break is in Holyoke, where food and water is provided for everyone who has registered for the Monday March and opted into the day's lunch. Details on what will be served and information for those with allergies and dietary restrictions will be added to this page, the schedule on the Route Maps page, and communicated with those who have already registered by email as soon as it becomes available. From there, it is on to Route 9 to the WRSI radio station in Northampton for the end of day 1 and mini-donuts from Wake the Dead Donuts! |
November 26th - Northampton to Greenfield
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Day two begins at 6:00 a.m. outside Congressman McGovern's Northampton office on Pleasant Street. Heading across the bridge into Hadley, marchers make a rest stop along Route 9 before entering Amherst. There Monte is joined by what is often the largest group of either day as groups of students from local schools often join the March as it passes through downtown. Last year over 200 participants walked with the March for the Food Bank for the stretch from downtown through UMass's Campus and to the Amherst Survival Center. |
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Lunch for Tuesday's marchers is served around 1 p.m. by the Holyoke Hummus food truck at Berkshire Brewery Company in South Deerfield. Once rested and refreshed, the march begins its final trek through historic Deerfield and north to downtown Greenfield. At the top of the Bank Hill row, Hawkes and Reed Performing Arts Center is alight with music, warmth, and food from Stone Soup Cafe as marchers arrive there for the after-party around 6 p.m.- the Hawkes and Reed Finish Line Feast. There, the final fundraising totals for both days is announced and the celebration of everyone's hard work begins! |
What to bring with you for the March
Everyone participating in the March is welcome to join for as long (or as little) of the March as they would like. Having these items handy is especially helpful for those who will be joining us for the entirety of either or both full days of marching.
- comfortable walking shoes (and a change of socks)
- layers to accomodate different temperatures throughout the day.
- any medications you need to take throughout the day (either at regular times or in the case of an emergency, such as an epi-pen)
- snacks and water (these will be available throughout the day, but they are always good to have on hand in case you would like some in-between stops.
