The launch of the latest Coldest Night of the Year campaign comes with a new starting location for a local shelter organization.
Grace Inn Shelter announced on Monday the event will start at the Maranatha Church in Belleville on Saturday, February 28, 2026, outgrowing the previous starting point in the Shelter’s parking lot.
This year, the event aims to raise $65,000 to support essential homelessness services provided by Grace Inn Shelter.
The move, driven by rising participation, will allow walkers to gather more safely and comfortably while supporting a more visible 5 km route, Shelter officials say.
Walkers will head north on North Front Street and continue past the Quinte Mall on Bell Boulevard—an intentional choice to highlight that homelessness affects people in every corner of Belleville, not only in the downtown core.
“Seeing the growth of this event mirrors the growing awareness and compassion in our city,” says Rob Crisp, Executive Director of Grace Inn Shelter. “Our new starting point at Maranatha Church gives us the space we need—and our new route puts the realities of homelessness where the whole community can see them. Every step taken is part of restoring dignity and hope.”
This year’s walk will feature warming firepits, opening ceremonies, a refreshed route, and a warm post-walk celebration at Maranatha Church—complete with soup and chili to end the walk with warmth and gratitude for those who have diligently raised funds to support the shelter.
To find more information and to register for this important event, visit Grace Inn Shelter’s website.
