This post was written by Hatchet staff writer Danielle Telson.

Forty students joined thousands on the National Mall early Saturday for the 24th annual Fannie Mae Help the Homeless Walk just a few days before Thanksgiving.

The group has raised more than $85 million through its program in the last 24 years, and next year plans to create a national movement that organizes walks all around the country, Fannie Mae CEO Mike Williams said at the walk.

Dean of Students Peter Konwerski’s service-learning class walked to benefit the organization Thrive DC, a local nonprofit that offers individuals meals twice daily, free showers, laundry, emergency blankets and clothing in addition to phone, mail and computer access.

“Working together on teams, the students attempt to link what they are learning about human services, social policy, social capital, and community organizing with an educational campaign on campus to better inform the GW community to the plight of the homeless in D.C. and hunger issues around the world,” Konwerski said.

Students in Konwerski’s class also help organize events for Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week every year, and this year focused on the contrast between the District’s thriving areas and the plight of homeless individuals across the city.

As of January, nearly 12,000 individuals throughout the District were homeless, and about 650,000 individuals across the U.S. are homeless on any given night, according to the walk’s website.

Konwerski said he feels the need to aid the homeless is crucial.

“I think efforts like participating in the walk are part of the service contributions our students are known for,” he said. “But as staff and faculty members, we also have a responsibility to support these efforts and especially at this time of the year, when we have so much to be thankful for, we need to also to demonstrate our commitment to the needs of others in our community.”

Mayor Vincent Gray said in his remarks prior to the walk that D.C. residents should reach out and see how they can help others.

“When we see homeless people bundled up out on the street, let’s not just walk by,” Gray said.

Students from the service fraternity Alpha Phi Omega walked in support of Charlie’s Place, an organization that offers food, housing and job placement assistance to the homeless, as well as HIV testing and other services.

Freshman Katie Luker volunteers for the Transitional Housing Corporation, which provides transitional housing for homeless families and helps with job placement, said she is on the cross-country team and brought four friends to join her on the walk.

“I’m excited for the walk today,” she said. “I’m also excited I got my cross country friends involved too.”