Coldest Night fundraising walk hints at reality of being homeless in Saskatoon

A biting wind is likely to put an edge on tonight's Coldest Walk fundraiser for Saskatoon homeless shelters, giving participants a taste of life for those without a home.

More than 100 people are expected to walk between two and 10 kilometres to raise money for The Lighthouse Supported Living Inc. and The Bridge Fellowship Centre.

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The event gives walkers a hint of what it's like to live in Saskatoon with no fixed address.

Lighthouse fundraising and communications co-ordinator Marilyn Jackson said unlike the event participants, the city's homeless did not have the luxury to retreat to a safe place.

"Everybody that walks today has a place to go home to tonight and they have a warm place to sleep and three meals a day," she said.

"So the challenge for people that don't have a home is making sure that they do have a warm place to sleep."

The event starts at 4 p.m. CST and takes participants to The Bridge Fellowship Centre to The Lighthouse, with two of the routes running along the South Saskatchewan River.

Organizers said it was a family-friendly event, through which they hope to raise $50,000.