People braved frigid temperatures to raise funds for vulnerable members of the community in the 2026 Coldest Night of the Year fundraisers.
Fundraisers took place in several communities across the Quinte region. One of those events was held in Belleville, with the funds going to the Grace Inn shelter. Walkers gathered at the Maranatha Church on College Street West before setting off on a walking route that would take them around several blocks before returning to the church.
Rob Crisp, executive director for the Grace Inn Shelter, said that they’re doing their best to help as many people as they can, but there’s a lot of people who need help.
“I think the point in time count in Belleville shows the need to be about 250 maybe to 275 of people that they’ve been able to identify as homeless without places to lay their head at night,” said Crisp. “typically, we’ve been looking after about 20% of what the needs are in our community, but the needs are far greater than we can meet on our own.”
Donations were still coming in during the event, but they had confirmed they had received over their $65,000 goal. Funds raised will go towards the day to day operations of the shelter, providing meals and safe beds for people experiencing homelessness in Belleville.
Co-Director for the Belleville Coldest Night of the Year walk, Shauna Jenkins, said that this was the biggest event they;d held since starting 5 years ago. She thanked both the walkers and the volunteers for making the fundraiser possible.
“Coldest night of the year in Belleville has been running for five years in support of Grace Inn shelter, and we are so excited to still be running this here in in the city, and it’s grown. It’s the biggest one yet,” said Jenkins. “I believe this year we’re going to have almost 300 people here tonight. Kids, families, seniors, all supporting the work that we do at the shelter.”
Another Coldest Night of the Year event was held in Quinte West, in support of the Care and Share food bank. That one raised an estimated $40,000.
Craig Olivier, from the Care & Share food Bank, said this is just the second year they’ve held a Coldest Night of the Year fundraiser in Quinte West.
“So far, it’s been a little bit of struggle getting more people out,” said Olivier. “There’s a lot of people are feeling the pinch a bit more, even more this year economically, but it’s a great cause.”
Additional local events were also held in Cobourg, Picton, Napanee, Kingston, and Peterborough. The fundraisers take place across Canada, with proceeds from each event going to benefit a local charity.
Participants prepare to depart at the Quinte West Coldest Night of the Year walk. Photo: Duncan Armstrong
