Congressman Jim McGovern is helping to lead the ninth annual “Monte’s March,” for food, a 43-mile, two-day walk as part of his anti-hunger push in Western Massachusetts. The march is aimed at helping to increase awareness about hunger and help Massachusetts families in need this Thanksgiving.
The 2nd Congressional District House member who serves much of Franklin County, regularly advocates for the hungry in Congress, fighting for programs like SNAP food stamp benefits.
“As we prepare for Thanksgiving, there are many families who are struggling just to put food on the table,” McGovern said Monday. “To bring our communities together and help those in need, we’ll be kicking off the ninth annual Monte’s March. Hunger is something that touches families across the Commonwealth, but together, we can help to ensure that everyone has access to the healthy meals they need this holiday season.”
McGovern joins the founder of Monte’s March, WRSI The River radio host Monte Belmonte of Montague, as well as Andrew Morehouse, the executive director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, which provides much of the food regional soup kitchens and local food pantries rely on.
Beginning Monday the two-day march goes from Springfield to Greenfield, as Belmonte pushes a shopping cart, while on the air urging listeners to call in with donations to the food bank.
Today the march passes through Franklin County, ending on Bank Row in at about 6 p.m.
Since Monte’s March began in 2010, the event has raised nearly $883,000 for the food bank, providing approximately 2.6 million meals to neighbors in need.