The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) announced that Emma Wilson, of the North End, has joined its 2024 Boston Marathon Team. On April 15, 2024, Wilson will compete in the 128th running of the Boston Marathon, a historical route of 26.2 miles from Hopkinton, Mass. to Copley Square in Boston.
GBFB is proud to be a part of the Boston Athletic Association’s Bank of America Boston Marathon® Official Charity Program, in which runners pledge to raise funds for a cause of their choosing.
By partnering with GBFB, runners will support its mission to end hunger in Eastern Massachusetts alongside its network of over 600 food distribution partners, as one in three Massachusetts adults – 1.8 million individuals – continue to face food insecurity. Funds raised will help provide nutritious and culturally responsive meals to those in need of food assistance.
Wilson, a native of Romeo, Michigan and now a resident of Boston’s North End, has been running competitively since she was 13 years old. She ran cross country and track while completing her undergraduate degree at Syracuse University, and most recently earned a master’s degree in public health at Boston University with a specialization in Health Promotion & Communication.
“During my studies, I participated in projects that encompassed strategic communication, social media campaigns, project planning, and event coordination – which align well with my passion for food justice and dedication to GBFB,” said Wilson. “This is my chance to embrace two elements of my identity as both a runner and advocate to make a difference in my community.”
Wilson qualified for the Boston Marathon during her first marathon in Sacramento, CA back in 2022 and now is ready to take on Heartbreak Hill on April 15th. She is very excited to take after her mother, a two-time finisher of the Boston Marathon.
“We extend our deepest thanks to the incredible individuals who have decided to lace up their running shoes, embrace the challenge, and dedicate their time to running in the Boston Marathon in support of GBFB’s hunger relief efforts,” said Catherine D’Amato, President and CEO of GBFB. “The issue of food insecurity endures, but thanks to the dedication of our runners as well as the families, friends and other supporters who rally behind them, we’ll be one step closer to a hunger-free future. We can’t wait to cheer you on!”
Supporters can contribute to Wilson’s campaign here, and to the full GBFB campaign here.
The Greater Boston Food Bank (GBFB) is the largest hunger-relief organization in New England and among the largest food banks in the country. As the food bank for Eastern Massachusetts, GBFB is feeding people in 190 towns across the region, distributing the equivalent of nearly 90 million meals through a network of 600 dedicated food distribution partners and programs. A member of the national Feeding America network, GBFB’s mission is to end hunger here. The organization remains committed to the belief that access to healthy food is a human right regardless of an individual’s circumstances. Through policy, partnerships, and providing free, nutritious, and culturally responsive food, GBFB is committed to addressing the root causes of food insecurity while promoting racial, gender and economic equity in food access. For more information and to help us help others, visit us at GBFB.org, follow us on Facebook, Twitter (@gr8bosfoodbank) and Instagram, or call us at 617.427.5200.