SEND PHOTOS: Walking the Walk to End Hunger

Despite a rainy week, the sun broke through on Sunday to shine on more than 43,000 people who walked 20 miles to help feed hungry families.

Project Bread’s 44th annual Walk for Hunger reached it’s goal of $3.6 million, said Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread. New this year was a Facebook app, which brought in more than $80,000.

Participants included: 1,000 religious and community organizations, 1,200 corporate teams, 1,200 school teams, and 700 friends and family groups.

“We’re all heartened that our economy is showing signs of recovery,” she said, “but we know that over 700,000 people in Massachusetts struggle to put food on the table.”

The nonprofit supports a wide range of 450 hunger relief programs across Massachusetts – from summer food programs, to community health centers, to farmers’ markets and emergency food providers.  

“For example, we’re supporting preschools, schools, afterschool programs, as well as summer food programs,” Parker said. “When a family gets predictable and good quality meals for their children every school day, they save money, which can then be put toward a healthy dinner at night.”