Thousands are joining Walk for Hunger to fight food insecurity in Massachusetts

Bridget Proulx of Billerica, 4, holds a sign in front of the Merrimack Food Bank as she walks along the Boston Common for Project Bread’s 56th annual Walk for Hunger fundraiser. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

More than 3,500 people gathered on the Boston Common to raise money to fight food insecurity in Massachusetts during the 56th annual Walk for Hunger, sponsored by Project Bread on Sunday.

“Every dollar raised and every Walker who participates today makes a huge difference in our work all year long,” Project Bread CEO Erin McAleer said Sunday. “It’s a tangible impact.”

Project Bread, a food security organization that supports children, families and others facing hunger in Massachusetts, aimed to raise $1.3 million through Sunday’s walk. The event raised about $900,000 for the cause as of Sunday evening, a spokesperson said.

The walk started in 1969 as the first pledge walk in the country, the organization said. Walkers will wind a three-mile route through the Boston Common and the day will include family-friendly activities, lawn games, live music from the bands What She Said and Bad Bat, and a recipe demonstration from chef Sherry Hughes.

The Common was packed with families and walkers traversing the route and enjoying the park on Sunday.

Last year, the organization set out to raise $1 million and had more than 3,000 people participate in the annual Walk for Hunger.