Staff and volunteers at the Downtown Mission are spending 24 hours outdoors to raise money and awareness for its programs.
The Mission hopes to raise $50,000 to support its shelter, food bank, and training programs.
"Over 70 per cent of our budget is donations. So $3.5 million is raised every year of a$4.5 million budget," said Maurizio Tiberia, Director of Business Operations.
Tiberia said with an increased population, demands for their services continues to grow which results in an ever increasing budget. Around 150-200 guests are housed each night at the Downtown Mission.
"This is a challenge for us, it means increased expenses we have to provide more food, more staffing, so all this costs money of course and we need the assistance of the society and our neighbours to help us," said Tiberia.
The event started 11 a.m. Thursday and continues until Friday morning.
Between 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. there will be a candlelight vigil to reflect on the human impact of homelessness, poverty, addiction and mental health challenges.
Donations can be made in person or online.
