November 20, 2023: Springfield to Northampton, March for The Food Bank 14

Monte Belmonte is walking 43 miles to raise awareness both about The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts and hunger in our area in general. We here at NEPM have been highlighting stories on hunger over the past week as a lead up to The March for the Food Bank 14, talking with those fighting through direct services, in the way of food pantries and kitchens, and those changing policy that affects folx in need. The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts actually does both of those things, and are a great resource for the region. There are over 100 marchers joining Monte over the course of the next two days making the journey from Springfield to Greenfield to help the organization. The march starts not far from the NEPM studios in Springfield, at Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services in Mason Square, which is *still* considered a food desert. It ends in Northampton, at the Northampton Radio Group, home of our former station, 93.9 WRSI. Inbetween we speak to congressmen Richard Neal and Jim McGovern, the latter of which has walked the full 43 miles for a number of years, State Senator Jake Olivera, State representative Shirley Arriaga , Food Bank Director Andrew Morehouse, Chicopee mayor John Vieau, the staff of Lorraine’s Kitchen, Director of Martin Luther King Jr. Services Shannon Rudder, and the man leading them all north, Monte Belmonte.