Walking to Feed the Hungry One Step at a Time [VIDEO]

Hundreds of people gathered at in Attleboro Sunday afternoon to do their part to end hunger in the Attleboro area by participating in the Attleboro Area Crop Hunger Walk.

CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by religious groups, businesses, schools and others to raise funds to end hunger at home and around the world.

The Attleboro Area Crop Hunger Walk, organized by the , attracted hundreds of people who brought food, donations and their determination to walk to raise funds to support the Food n' Friends program, which operate six soup kitchens, two Family Cafes and a breakfast program.

Every Dollar Counts

A total of 25 percent of the proceeds directly benefits the program, which in 2010 served 38,500 meals, handed out more than 3,600 breakfast bags and served 825 bagged lunches.

As of 3 p.m. Sunday, a total of $7,496.00 was raised for the Attleboro Area Crop Hunger Walk. in Norton contributed the most with $2,411 raised, followed by Carole's Council Crew who raised $1,050 and Gerry's Goslings who raised $550 in honor of the late Gerry Goslin, the program's treasurer of many years.

"My grandmother Gerry Goslin has been doing this walk in Attleboro for as long as I can remember," wrote her granddaughter Mary Martinez on the team's profile page. "At the funeral shortly after my whole family decided we would do the Crop walk for her, because she can't make it. Believe me, she would if she could, and those who know her, she will be walking right behind us telling us to look both ways before crossing the street and making shure we're dressing in rain gear because it always seems to rain."

All Religions Help to End Hunger

Several pastors and members of their churches including the in Attleboro, in Foxborough and in Norton joined the effort.

Pastor Paul Sangree of Bethany Congregational Church and several members of the congregation including Molly Crocker, a seventh-grade student and member of the Youth Group and Steven Wills, one of the Youth Group leaders, gathered to walk together.

"It was to do something about hunger and it's a great way for the community to come together with other churches throughout the area," Sangree said.

Sangree is referring to the more than 36 churches of various denominations and a synagogue, servicing 13 towns in the Attleboro area including Attleboro, North Attleboro, Norton, Rehoboth, Taunton, Mansfield, Foxboro, Plainville, Walpole, Seekonk, Easton, Norfolk, and Wrentham that are members of the Council of Churches.

Christian and Community Service

Nearly 100 students also participated in the walk as part of their Christian Service program. Senior Hannah Wolf, an avid runner, said she participated because she enjoys running and to help others.

"I feel this is a great way to give back and raise money for those who are less fortunate," she said.