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By CARA BAYLES

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On Sunday, more than 40,000 people walked a 20-mile circuit spanning Boston, Newton, Watertown and Cambridge to raise $3.8 million for the 40th annual Walk for Hunger. By noon, some walkers had already reached the giant balloon arch of the finish line on Boston Common, and were met by volunteers who cheered, clapped and offered them water.

They were also met by a couple protestors. Dan "the Bagel Man" Kontoff, the former Back Bay station bagel vendor and long-time Green Party activist who lost two bids for Allston-Brighton City Councilor, referred to the annual fundraiser as the "Walk for War." The Waltham-based Raytheon Company is one of the fundraiser's major sponsors. It's also one of the largest defense contractors in the country, and has won several billion-dollar contracts with the Pentagon in the past few years.

"The government gives millions to Raytheon for the war in Iraq," says the Bagel Man. "Every dollar we give them is a dollar we could give to hungry people."

Raytheon gave $35,734.67 to the Walk for Hunger, making it the second-highest corporate donor, after Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts.

Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread, says corporate sponsors help with operating costs of the walk and often give pledge donations. "Generally, a certain amount is given to us in corporate gifts and in addition, members of the company walk and raise money together," she says. "I've worked with the people at Raytheon for years. We have an extremely positive relationship with the employees there. They always come down to walk. They're very supportive and enthusiastic. I think it's really out of place to suggest those people don't have a right to be part of the walk."

Parker says Project Bread is $4 million fundraising goal is a $400,000 increase from last year. At last count, they'd reached $3.8 million. "We only fund emergency programs, and the demand has really gone up this year," she says. "The increased cost of transportation, heating and food has put a lot of stress on low income families." The Greater Boston Food Bank reports a 30 percent increase in demand so far this year. Funds raised on the Walk go to 400 emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, food banks and food salvage programs throughout Massachusetts. Among them are the state's four food banks, the Pine Street Inn, the Arlington Street Church program and the Salvation Army.

Nicole and Brandon Heisler walked five miles with ChenEx, a Belmont after-school program where Nicole works. ChenEx raised more than $2,000. Nicole has raised $45 so far, but is hoping to find more sponsors.

"This is my second year doing this," she says. "I think it's the coolest thing that people are coming together to raise money for hungry people. It makes me tingly."

"I'm here to support my wife," quips Brandon. "Plus, I was promised ice cream."

Nicole scoffs at the protest. "I personally don't support the war, but I think it's bunk to protest anyone who gives money to feed hungry people," she says.

Corporate sponsorship is fairly commonplace for mainstream charitable causes. The Jimmy Fund has Burger King, Taco Bell, Blockbuster and Stop & Shop, among others. The AIDS Walk has Macy's, Verizon and, yes, Raytheon. The Avon Walk for Breast Cancer is also supported by Reebok and Figi Water. McDonald's invented its own cause, the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

"But corporate sponsorship isn't the problem," says the Bagel Man. "It's the sponsorship of a company that's based on violence that bothers me."