SUNDERLAND — Almost 20 first-graders from Erving Elementary School tightly grasped zip-lock bags full of coins, with “toes on the grass,” along Route 47 near the center, patiently waiting for 93.9 The River’s Christopher “Monte” Belmonte to march past and collect their donations in a shopping cart.
For the past six years, Belmonte has led Monte’s March through the Pioneer Valley, from Springfield to Greenfield, to raise awareness and donations to stamp out hunger. His annual march, which started in 2010, benefits the Food Bank of Western Mass. This year, his trek took two days to complete and covered 43 miles.
Belmonte finished his march at just after 6 p.m. in front of Seymour Pub on Bank Row in Greenfield, where Food Bank of Western Mass. Director Andrew Morehouse announced that more than $183,400 was raised, smashing the march’s $150,000 goal.
“It inspired me in a way that it hasn’t in years past,” Belmonte said, about the total donations raised, “that’s crazy — I don’t know what to make of it. Just goes to show how much love there is for people in need.”
Belmonte noted that people can still donate to the food bank online.
Earlier, at about noon, Belmonte marched through the center of Sunderland, later stopping at Chandler’s Restaurant in South Deerfield for lunch before continuing on to Greenfield, his final destination.
“I think many people in our listening area are feeling down after the election,” he said. “Some are feeling helpless. This march is an opportunity for people to do something — to put one foot in front of the other, to raise some money, to rally around some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and do some real work raising money.”
According to Belmonte, who lives in Montague, donations to his walk “will translate into putting real food onto the tables of more than 200,000 people in four counties of Western Mass. who are experiencing hunger.”
“We’ve crested the $50,000 mark,” he said around 1 p.m.
The Erving pupils were holding homemade signs that read “peace,” others, “love,” and “giving.” As Belmonte approached in the distance, a tangible feeling of excitement swept over the group.
“Monte’s going to come around and we’re going to put money in his cart.” explained first-grader Cadance Fisher. “It’s really important.”
As related by first-grade teacher Ben Rubin, the students are learning to get “involved in local activism. It allows them to feel for others,” he said, noting that “the reasons why people are in need are diverse.”
Leading up to the event, the children learned about the importance of giving back to the community, caring about others and that a small donation can go a long way. Teacher Stephanie Barry said that for every dollar donated during Monte’s March, three meals can be purchased through the food bank.
“They have literally brought handfuls of change,” she said, while standing in sunlight next to the line of students. “It led beautifully into a math lesson.”
Brass band music floated through the cold fall air as Belmonte’s crew of state lawmakers, community leaders and well-wishers marched toward the students.
During the march, he dressed up as Lady Liberty, wearing headphones and pushing a shopping cart filled with radio equipment. As he passed, the students fell into step and marched along with him.
Keeping the rhythm on snare drum was The Recorder senior reporter Richie Davis. Behind him was Congressman Jim McGovern, who’s marched with Belmonte starting in Springfield — and who has marched annually for the past four years.
“I marched all day yesterday, all day today. I’m doing the whole 43 miles. Unfortunately, hunger is a reality in all of our communities. All of us need to come together to help eradicate this problem,” McGovern said, while Belmonte stopped briefly to make an on-air radio update and collected the students’ donations.
After a short break, the group, including the Erving students, continued on toward South Deerfield.
Other local and state officials who marched with Belmonte this year include Congressman Joe Kennedy III; Congressman Richard Neal; state Rep. Aaron Vega, and state Rep.-elect Solomon Goldstein-Rose.
You can reach Andy Castillo
at: acastillo@recorder.com
or 413-772-0261, ext. 263
On Twitter: @AndyCCastillo