Winnipeg run club hosts annual loonie/toonie drop to raise awareness around homelessness
Posted February 8, 2025 1:29 pm.
Last Updated February 9, 2025 11:56 am.
The Winnipeg Run Club laced up their sneakers for a special event Saturday morning. Dozens of runners came out to participate in the club’s annual loonie/toonie drop to raise awareness about those living unsheltered in Winnipeg and collect donations for the Main Street Project.
“Honestly it takes a whole community to support a community like ours and we need it and appreciate it every time people get together to help us,” said Carla Morden, the development coordinator of Main Street Project.
Starting bright and early at the Forks, members of the Winnipeg Run Club made a pit stop at the Winnipeg sign, before running towards Waterfront Drive all the way to Main Street Project’s Martha Street location to drop off their donations.
“Donations definitely peak around the holidays and then drop off in January and February, so it’s nice to have events like this to boost that support during this time of year,” said Morden.
This annual event started eight years ago, with many run clubs across the country holding similar fundraisers in years prior. Run club member, Darrell Saria says Winnipeg’s group hopes to continue this tradition for many years to come.
“It was pretty much across the nation like Canada, and it was called the ‘Nation Run’ and I think we just wanted to continue that and give back to the community,” said Saria.
“The running community alone just standing together, running together, it means quite a bit.”
The winter months can be extremely challenging for people experiencing homelessness, and the Main Street Project says they have been at capacity every night.
“Exposure to cold obviously can be deadly at times so it’s vital that we have places for people to warm up and places for people to sleep and grab some food and coffee and things like that,” said Morden.
Main Street Project says they are always looking for donations and are particularly in need of winter gear right now. More on how to donate can be found on their website.
