Saturday afternoon, a group of hardy volunteers jumped into the Tar River in Washington to help raise money for Stop Hunger Now.

In a partnership with the national nonprofit, St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Washington issued the Polar Challenge on the Pamlico to its parishioners — with each participant finding sponsorship in friends, family and those who just wanted to be a part of the fun. The intention was to raise $1,400. However, the challenge ended up raising close to $3,000, according to event organizer Judy Vandorp.

Amid lots of laughter, and a crowd of onlookers, and a fire to warm up swimmers after the fact, volunteers jumped off the dock at the Short Drive home of John and Katherine Tate just after 4 p.m. Clad in a variety of outfits, from sweatpants to bikinis, they quickly made their way through the chilly water to ladders on the bulkhead. Air temperature at the time was 43 degrees. Water temperature was approximately the same.

How was the water?

“Cold,” said Beth Michael.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be,” said a shivering Laurel MacKenzie, who accessorized her plunge outfit with a pink tutu.

St. Peter’s intends to send the funds to Stop Hunger Now and receive in return a variety of packaged dried beans, rice, vitamins and other items for the church to sort, repackage and send back to the nonprofit. The food is sent to battle the hunger worldwide.