Ottawa Mission hosts ‘Coldest Night of the Year’ event to support homeless residents

Ottawa residents are banding together to raise money for those in need during the coldest days of the year. CTV’s Natalie Van Rooy reports.

The housing crisis continues to grip the nation’s capital, leaving many without a place to call home.

Every night, people are sleeping on the street and in desperate need of a proper meal. An annual fundraiser called the Coldest Night of the Year hosted by the Ottawa Mission made its way through the downtown core on Saturday to raise money for local charities.

Rhys Weeden and his fundraising group have taken part in the walk to raise money for four years.

“I think it’s a really good cause, seeing everyone out here doing the best that they can. It seems like homelessness and food insecurity is on the rise in the city,” said Weeden, who lives in Ottawa.

Around 250 people took part in the two and five kilometre walk to support charities, including the Mission.

“The funds raised here will go to help us purchase things like winter coats and winter boots to get us through the rest of the year,” said Peter Tilley, the Ottawa Mission’s CEO.

“We also took a really bad hit because of the Canada Post strike from people not able to get their donations in. So, very much needed at this time of year to get us through January, February and March.”

The goal is to raise as much money as possible to help the hundreds of unhoused people across the city. Weeden raised a total of $4,600 with his group.

“In a few of the major parts of the city, you’re seeing a lot more homelessness and drug use in some parts of the city that you didn’t see before and that’s pretty heartbreaking,” Weeden said.

It comes at a time when the Ottawa Mission is stretched to the limit. The shelter is trying to keep up with more people than ever requiring services.

“We’re still in the midst of an affordable housing crisis here in the city of Ottawa, and we still don’t have enough rooms or beds for people to sleep in right now,” Tilley said. “There’s always a waitlist of people who are lining up to come stay under our roof.”

Tilley says the shelter is at capacity every night with mats needed for overflow. Volunteers and staff also work around the clock to get food ready.

“We’ve been at overcapacity since the pandemic broke,” Tilley said. “Unfortunately, we’re in the midst of two election campaigns, one happening now, one on the horizon, and the issue of the housing crisis and homelessness isn’t even hitting the radar.”