LYNN – Project Bread’s 40th annual Walk for Hunger, the oldest continual pledge walk and largest one-day fundraiser, will take place this Sunday with the goal of alleviating hunger in Massachusetts.More than 45,000 walkers and volunteers are set to participate in this year’s charity walk, which has raised over $66 million to date with the help of about 912,000 walkers along the way who have pounded the pavement since 1969 to help those who are hungry.Lynn resident Linda Plouffe and her partner Paul Zabierek are rested and ready to lace up their sneakers and walk for the 15th year in a row for the cause.After learning about the walk from a friend at a local gym, Plouffe said she originally decided to participate for the physical exercise, but quickly fell in love with the charity as well.”I figured it was something small that I could do to help out,” she said. “It’s a long walk, and believe me, I’m not getting any younger, so it’s hard!”Plouffe, an employee at Union Hospital, said between her and Zabierek, they have raised thousands of dollars for the cause through donations from friends, family and coworkers.A lifelong resident of Lynn, Plouffe said she understands what it’s like to struggle with rising food costs and the daily struggle of making ends meet and sympathizes with those for whom the walk benefits.”I come from a large family in Lynn where money wasn’t always flowing in,” she said. “My parents had to look for help here and there. The cost of groceries for even just two people is just unacceptable these days.”Plouffe said she is always amazed by the number of young people who take part in the walk each year, and is invigorated by the cheerful songs and chants by the walkers.”I always think of younger kids being lazy and just taking care of themselves, but there are so many that get out of bed early just to be there at 7 a.m.,” she said. “They really make it fun with all of the singing and chanting and it’s nice to talk to them along the way.”Unfortunately not all of the walks have been so carefree, especially one year when Zabierek got sunstroke along the way and had to stop for a bit before continuing on.This year might prove to be a bit of a struggle this time for Plouffe, who said she is suffering from a torn meniscus and a stress fracture.”As long as I can limp, I’ll still do it,” she quipped.Roughly 95,000 people are typically involved in the annual walk, which stretches 20 miles through Boston, Brookline, Newton, Watertown, and Cambridge before returning to the Boston Common.43,000 walkers and more than 2,000 volunteers flood the roadways along the route, which are made possible through pledges from about 50,000 friends, family, and coworkers.The walk provides grants to 400 food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks, and food salvage programs in 126 communities throughout the state.Last year, over $3.4 million was raised from every state in the country, as well as 20 countries, and as a result, 42.1 million meals were served to those in need.Shuttle buses are available at each of the eight checkpoints along the route, as well as entertainment stops featuring more than 20 local performers.Route map and street closings are available at www.projectbread.org/roadmap