Kind hearts needed for the coldest night

Annual fundraiser helps local homeless shelter serve its clients

TRURO, N.S. – Organizers are expecting another strong turnout for this year’s Coldest Night of the Year walk in support of Truro’s homeless.

Truro Homeless Outreach Society aims to raise $60,000 this year, to keep its doors open for clients and cover expenses like food for people on the streets.

“Everyone’s only a crisis away from being in the situation a lot of our guests are,” said Krista

Mcnair, vice-chair of THOS’S board. “It really makes my heart warm to see that folks are empathetic.”

Mcnair is expecting between 150 and 250 people for CNOY on Feb. 22. Last year’s walk brought out roughly 200 participants, who raised about $21,000 for THOS.

With a more ambitious fundraising target for 2020, THOS has reached out to local businesses and politicians for support.

So far, town councillor Cathy

Hinton from the Town of Truro is signed up as a CNOY volunteer. The Green Party of Nova Scotia has a walking team registered and the NDP will cook meals for those taking part. Organizers have also reached out to both the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives.

“We receive little core government funding, so we rely on fundraising and donations,” said Mcnair.

THOS first opened its shelter downtown in 2017. Since then, Mcnair says it has recorded more than 8,000 “bed nights,” or stays with the shelter.

CNOY walkers will meet at Truro Farmers’ Market at 5 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 22.

To register a team for CNOY, to donate, or to volunteer, visit https://cnoy.org/location/truro.

THOS’S shelter is located at 862 Prince St. in Truro. Anyone needing help or wishing to volunteer at the shelter itself can call 902-843-2538.