Thousands of people will again join together to combat hunger at the 2010 Hunger Walk/Run.

The event, which is sponsored by the Atlanta Community Food Bank, will benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society, one of five community partners that receive a portion of the event’s proceeds.

This year’s event is scheduled for Sunday, March 14, rain or shine at Turner Field, Atlanta. The family-friendly day includes entertainment and carnival games beginning at noon. A 5K fun run, with a runner’s fee of $25 and special T-shirt, begins at 1 p.m., and the 5K walk, taking people of all ages through city streets around the state Capitol, begins at 2:30 p.m.

Teams can register for the event, and participants are encouraged to get sponsors and contributions for their effort. For those who cannot attend or participate, online donations can be made to the team doing the walking.

Join by registering to coordinate a team, sponsor an existing team or walker, or simply donate to help end hunger.

Refreshments are available during the event, and volunteers are stationed to help walkers stay on course. Atlanta police provide traffic control along the route, and nurses are available for first-aid needs.

Since 1984, the community effort has brought together walkers and runners of all ages for one day to help nonprofit groups that serve the poor. Last year, even though the event was canceled due to snow, more than $300,000 was raised for local and global hunger relief.