Winnipeg Gears Up for Coldest Night to Support Food Rescue Initiative

Winnipeg residents are set to participate in The Coldest Night of the Year (CNOY) on February 28, 2026, to support the Leftovers Foundation, a local food rescue organization. This winter fundraising event aims to raise awareness and funds for people experiencing hunger, hurt, and homelessness in the city.

The CNOY is a family-friendly walk scheduled for the evening of Saturday, February 28, where participants will traverse either a 2.5 km or 5 km route. The event begins and ends at Sergeant Tommy Prince Place, located at 90 Sinclair St.. Walkers will have opportunities to enjoy warm beverages at rest stops and celebrate their efforts with a meal at the finish line. Those who raise over $150 will receive iconic CNOY toques, while youth participants only need to raise $75 to earn one.

This marks the second year that Leftovers Foundation has participated in CNOY, with a fundraising goal of $26,000. The organization aims to expand its food rescue efforts, as demand for services continues to rise amid increasing concerns over food security.

According to Alyssa Wolfe, Operations Manager at Leftovers Foundation, “Since we launched in Winnipeg, we have seen a dramatic increase in organizations that exist to help people with food access. Last year, we transported over 600,000 lbs of food to over 150 nonprofit organizations across the city.” Since its inception in late 2020, Leftovers has rescued over 3.2 million lbs of surplus food, primarily through volunteer efforts.

The funds raised from CNOY will assist Leftovers in covering ongoing operational costs associated with their community-based food redistribution initiative. The organization focuses on providing “just in time logistics” to ensure surplus food reaches those in need.

February is traditionally a period of lower charitable giving, making contributions to this cause especially meaningful. Donations can be made through the event’s webpage, accessible at https://cnoy.org/location/winnipegnorthend.

For more information, please contact:
Alyssa Wolfe
Operations Manager, Leftovers Foundation
3-585 Jarvis Ave.
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 204-869-6373

For national event inquiries, reach out to:
Brian Carney
CEO
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 1-519-603-2250

Participating in CNOY not only highlights the pressing issues of food insecurity but also fosters community spirit as residents unite to make a difference in Winnipeg.