The Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser returns Feb. 24.
Funds raised during the run-walk go to The Gathering Place Community Soup Kitchen.
The goal is $55,000.
“Like every other non-profit, things have been difficult over the last six to eight months,” says Dennis Chippa, Executive Director of The Gathering Place. “An event like this always helps us out as far as keeping the doors open, the lights on, paying for the heat and hydro and day-to-day stuff.”
He also says raising awareness is a key component.
“We usually do a 2 km walk and 5 km run and it gives [participants] during that 20 minutes, half an hour, 45 minutes that they’re out there, a little idea of as to what it’s like day-to-day for folks who are hungry, homeless and hurting.”
Along with providing meals daily to those in need, The Gathering Place has food outreach and food rescue programs and runs a seasonal community garden.
On Feb. 24, the event starts at École secondaire Catholique Algonquin, stops at The Gathering Place on Cassells for a break and then heads back to the school.
Eight teams have registered so far.
To donate or register visit the North Bay event page on the Coldest Night of the Year website.
