Temperatures might feel warmer than usual on Saturday, but for Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins, it’s the coldest night of the year.

This Saturday, Feb. 23rd is the second annual Coldest Night of the Year Walk in Timmins. The 2km, 5km or 10km walk is a nation-wide fundraiser that raises awareness of the struggles that the homeless and hungry face during Canada’s cold winters.

Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins is organizing the event and Executive Director, Jennifer Vachon, says they’re raising awareness about poverty and homelessness by getting people out in the cold weather.

“It’s raising awareness by having people out in the cold in the winter conditions,” she said, “doing this walk and raising funds for Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins which works to increase access to fresh, healthy and affordable food for everyone in this community.”

Members of the public, business community and charity organizations are all coming together on Saturday to make this event a success.

“It really helps bring the community together,” she said. “So, with this event, we have over 50 volunteers. We currently have over 130 walkers registered. There are a number of community partners involved in making this event a success. So, a lot of the organizations in town that work in homelessness and food security are a part of making this event happen.”

The walk starts and ends at the Lords Kitchen, a community partner in the event. The walk route was designed to include as many food security and homelessness programming locations as possible, and will include rest stops at the Timmins Native Friendship Centre, Project Love and Living Space.

“We see the community coming together for this really great cause of raising awareness that there is poverty issues in our community,” Vachon said. “There is significant homelessness and food insecurity in Timmins. So it’s important for raising awareness for that. And it’s important for raising funds for Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins.”

ACT is a 100% local charity that heavily relies on fundraising to sustain operations. They’ve been operating for over ten years.

“We have really wonderful community-based programs that increase access to fresh, healthy, affordable food.”

Last year was the inaugural Coldest Night of the Year walk in Timmins and it raised over $35,000. This year the goal is $40,000. Vachon says the number of walkers registered has gone up in the last few days and they are anticipating even more.

People who can’t participate in the walk can donate directly to the Anti-Hunger Coalition Timmins team. They can also be a volunteer for the event. For businesses that can’t participate in the walk, there are sponsorship opportunities available. You can register for the walk or register to volunteer here. 

The walk starts at 5 PM on Saturday, February 23rd at the Lord’s Kitchen. There will be a hot meal served after the walk at the Lord’s Kitchen, plus everyone who takes part will get a Coldest Night of the Year tuque.

 

 

 

Filed under: Local News