What does it take to solve food insecurity on a statewide level? In this episode, Erin McAleer, President and CEO of Project Bread, shares how Massachusetts is tackling food insecurity through advocacy, systemic change, and statewide collaboration. Erin discusses Project Bread’s radical approach to ending hunger by addressing both immediate needs and permanent solutions, including the recent passage of free school meals for all K-12 students in Massachusetts. She explains the importance of involving people with lived experiences in the decision-making process to craft more effective and sustainable solutions.

Rob’s guest, Erin McAleer, highlights the work of the Make Hunger History Coalition, a statewide effort bringing together anti-hunger advocates, organizations, and individuals to create long-term solutions for food insecurity. Erin shares how Project Bread has grown over the past few years, scaling both their impact and programs during the pandemic. She emphasizes that scaling should not be the goal, but the result of a clear mission and effective strategies. Erin’s approach of combining direct service with advocacy and systems change has made a lasting impact in Massachusetts.

Erin’s story offers nonprofit leaders some valuable insights into creating lasting, systemic change, building coalitions, and engaging individuals with lived experience to drive the solutions for issues like food insecurity.

Mentioned:

Project Bread’s website

The School Meals Program

Follow Erin McAleer on LinkedIn

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Links to Resources:

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Summary:

In this episode of the Nonprofit Leadership Podcast, Dr. Rob Harter interviews Erin McLeer, the president and CEO of Project Bread, a food security organization in Massachusetts. They discuss the organization’s advocacy for free school meals, the importance of engaging individuals with lived experience in decision-making, and the challenges of scaling a nonprofit during a pandemic. Erin shares insights on building coalitions, creating systemic change, and fostering a culture of feedback within the organization.

Takeaways:

Project Bread focuses on permanent systems change to end hunger.

Advocacy for free school meals was driven by community voices.

Engaging individuals with lived experience is crucial for effective solutions.

Coalition building is essential to address systemic issues like hunger.

Recruiting community leaders enhances the impact of advocacy efforts.

Creating lasting change requires collaboration with various stakeholders.

Scaling a nonprofit should align with its mission and theory of change.

Challenges during the pandemic included maintaining team cohesion and culture.

Feedback mechanisms are vital for fostering a healthy organizational culture.

Internal lived experiences can inform and shape organizational strategies.

Quotes:

“Hunger is preventable and solvable.”

“We need to meet that immediate need.”

“This was personal for me.”