Strides to End Homelessness walk returns this Saturday

Photo: Gospel Mission

The annual Strides to End Homelessness walk is back, in person, after a two-year hiatus.

Last year's event was virtual and the one prior to that was cancelled altogether due to COVID-19 restrictions at the time.

Troy McKnight with the Gospel Mission says they are happy to be back to in-person walking this year but there will be some restrictions, "there is limited capacity inside the Laurel Packinghouse and we're going to be checking (vaccine) passports at the door and masks are mandatory inside."

This is the 11th annual event and features a 2, 5, km walk or 10 km run. Check-in starts at 2 p.m., Saturday, with the walk starting at 3 p.m.

This year will also feature the new food truck which will be serving chili and hot dogs in the parking lot.

"We're very excited about that, it's been a long time coming, but the food truck will be there, we're going to get a look at it." McKnight says this is the first event for what he calls the social enterprise.

"Profits from the food truck will come back into the mission to help support programs. And we'll also use it as a platform for residents who are ready to take that next step, we can be their first place of employment, so we can offer food, and people get experience serving food on the food truck when they're ready to do that."

McKnight also says people will see the food truck at different events this summer, "it'll be launching in the next month or so. It will be at different festivals in the summertime, as well as different spaces, got a few wineries as well."

This year's goal is to raise $50,000 to support people experiencing homelessness and poverty in the Okanagan Valley.

Kelowna’s Gospel Mission’s services range from providing food and survival items on the street, to shelter beds and long-term transitional living.