Make a Difference! CAFE Team Once Again Walks the Coldest Night of the Year

At CAFE, our commitment to community is one of the main things that drives us. We are so much more than just a weed dispensary – in fact, our incredible staff are always looking for ways in which to give back to those around us. Each year, our team participates in CNOY – an annual fundraiser walk to raise awareness for those that are living through impossible times. Economic conditions in recent years have had a severe impact on many people’s lives, and the hardest hit continue to be people experiencing poverty and homelessness. The Coldest Night of The Year (CNOY) campaign is an incredible Canada-wide initiative, where tens of thousands of participants step outside the warmth and comfort of their homes to walk outdoors on a cold February night in support of local charities that serve those experiencing hunger, hurt and homelessness. Since 2011, CNOY has raised over $75,000,000 in 190 communities!

As members of our local community, we at CAFE did not hesitate to join in this campaign, as we have for the past few years, specifically supporting the Fort York Food Bank with our fundraising efforts. On February 22^th, over 38,000 people walked CNOY across Canada, raising over $14, 427,000 for this incredible cause.

The event began with opening remarks by the CNOY team, and music and DJs kept the atmosphere lively at the starting line. Our team of staff and volunteers participated in the 2km course, which began on College St, headed west and then looped around side streets.

Despite it being February, the weather was pleasant and we were lucky to not have to brave a very chilly night. Unfortunately, those living on the streets of Toronto aren’t as lucky, as winters in this city are not usually as forgiving. We were met with volunteers holding signs at intervals along our route, cheering on the participants and keeping the morale positive and energetic.