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Every cold winter day, people without a home or money walk between Kitchener and Waterloo for a warm place to sleep and a meal.

People joining the Coldest Night of the year walkathon later this month will get a glimpse of that tough path in an effort to raise money and awareness about poverty and homelessness.

Money raised at the Feb. 25 event will go to the Ray of Hope Community Centre, which last year served about 70, 000 meals, handed out 12, 000 food hampers and 12, 500 items of clothing. Once a week during the winter, about 70 people sleep at the Kitchener centre through the Out of the Cold program.

The community centre depends on donations and volunteers to operate.

“There is a huge need out there. It’s growing, ” said Scott Brush, communications and resource manager.

Ray of Hope and two Toronto agencies started the event last year. Its success surprised organizers. Locally, 241 walkers raised $68, 000.

This year walkathons are being held by 18 organizations in four provinces. No matter the part of Canada, even in an affluent area like Waterloo Region, there are people struggling to just get by.

“Poverty is an equalizer, ” Brush said.

This year’s goal for the Kitchener-Waterloo walk is $100, 000. Teams sign up to raise a minimum of $2, 000 to join the five- or 10-kilometre routes.

The walk is a reality check for those who participate, Brush said. Many people who are homeless need to walk from shelter to shelter because they can’t afford the bus. They have to plan their day around where they’ll sleep.

The walk is held in the evening, when most people in the community are sitting down to a hot meal.

“People identified at least in a small way with what it’s like on the street and to feel hunger, ” said Harry Whyte, chief executive officer.

The walk map marks other social agencies that help those struggling with poverty and homelessness, including the House of Friendship, Working Centre, ROOF and Lutherwood, to show people the great need in the community, Whyte said.

“We wanted people to capture it’s not just Ray of Hope. ”