Page 11 - 2020 BusinessWest Difference Makers Program
P. 11

SBy George O’Brien
ean Barry recalls listening to the first few editions of Monte’s March on the radio.
What he remembers most is how Monte Belmonte, the radio personality who created this unique publicity
stunt to raise money for the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, seemed
to keep getting lost on his trek from Northampton to Greenfield.
“That first year, I was listening to him taking wrong turns ... I thought to myself, ‘maybe he needs help,’” said Barry, owner of Four Seasons Wines & Liquors in Hadley. “The second year, the march snuck up on me, so I wasn’t able to sign up. So again I listened, and I believe I heard him getting lost again — he didn’t seem to have a clear idea of where he was.”
Anyway, the more Barry listened,
the more he wanted to be part of what Belmonte was doing.
“I’m a true believer in what the Food Bank does and how unfortunately necessary it is,” he said, adding that he
secured enough coverage at the store
to be able to march in the third event, and he’s been back every year since. He now carries out an important role in this curious and all-important spectacle — keeping the souped-up shopping cart pushed by Belmote out of harm’s way.
In a way, Barry’s growing involvement with the march is a microcosm of its growth and evolution over the past decade. It started small, but almost immediately it caught people’s attention — and kept it. And then, they wanted to be part of it in some way. And all kinds of groups and individuals have found
a way, helping to raise more than $1.2 million to date.
The ranks include lawmakers, especially U.S. Rep. Jim McGovern, the Democrat from Worcester, who marches alongside Belmonte every year, as well as state representatives and senators. And school children, who have been inspired to raise money for the cause
in many different ways and even hand over their allowance to Belmonte as
he marches by. And the famous UMass marching band, which has joined the
s11
trek in downtown Amherst.
But while this event has grown to
attract hundreds, and perhaps thousands of participants and supporters, Belmonte has been the individual most responsible for its success and its ability to keep food insecurity front of mind — not for two days in November, but all year. McGovern perhaps said it best when
he told BusinessWest that Belmonte hasn’t created a march — he’s created a movement.
“It’s a movement to not just be there in this fight against hunger during Monte’s March, but all year round,” the congressman explained. “Through his various efforts and interviews, people come to understand the complexity of the problem and the diversity of the problem. It’s not a once-a-year thing
— he’s creating a movement, and he’s creating awareness.”
And those sentiments clearly explain why Belmonte is a member of the Difference Makers class of 2020.
 Difference
SPRING 2020
Makers
 HCC congratulates this year’s Difference Makers:
• Dianne Doherty Difference
 • Monte Belmonte
• Ira Bryck
• Sandy Cassanelli
Maker
• Ronn Johnson
• Steve Lowell
• Rick’s Place
HCC.EDU
You enrich our community and inspire us with your example. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!
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