More than $6,000 was raised during the annual Coldest Night of the Year walk to help homeless in the community.
There were 13 teams made up of 45 walkers who took part in the event on Saturday, Feb. 26, in support of Food For The Soul Project Society, an organization that opened its doors in the community in 2019.
On the Coldest Night Of The Year website, it reports that the group managed to raise a total of $6,101, 30 per cent of a $20,000 goal.
Aida Tajbakhesh, who runs the Maple Ridge non-profit, and one other team member raised $1, 470. And a group of 13 walkers with the Starbucks D251 team raised $2,090.
Local MLA’s Bob D’Eith and Lisa Beare took part in the event.
Coldest Night Of The Year is a walk that takes part across the country to raise money for people and families who are experiencing homelessness, hurt, and hunger.
This year it was held virtually, again, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Food For The Soul Project Society started participating in the walk in 2021, cohosting it last year with the Immigrant Link Centre Society.
There was no walk in 2020 and in the seven years prior the walk was hosted by the Salvation Army Ridge Meadows Ministries.
On their Facebook page Food For The Soul Project Society thanked everyone who supported this years walk.
“We are grateful for the time and love each participant has put into their teams. Raising funds, raising awareness walking for a cause together,” read the post.
Every dollar, it said, will go towards local projects in the communities the charity serves.
“Thank you CNOY22 for giving organizations like ours a voice and a space to connect with the world! We are forever grateful for your service to the community. We empower, We Inspire, We Enrich our community together,” the post finished.
On their website, Food For The Soul Project Society is described as providing free addictions counselling, a methadone and suboxone treatment clinic, treatment referrals, a food and clothing program, volunteer to work program, a legal clinic, housing and resource referral, and peer support – to those in need in the community. The society also says they help those struggling with mental health and addictions along with people who are low income or homeless. The charity has a location in Abbotsford, as well as Maple Ridge.
Across Canada 5,405 teams, made up of 30,976 walkers, at 165 locations took part in the Coldest Night Of The Year, raising $11,307,240 for different charities.
The News is currently waiting for a response from Food For The Soul Project Society, located at unit 1-22335 Lougheed Hwy., downtown Maple Ridge.
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