The Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise successfully raised $2,790 during the Coldest Night of the Year 5K walk on February 28, 2026, to support essential local food security programs in Red Deer, Alberta. A team of 18 club members braved -12°C temperatures to complete the walk, helping the local event reach a total of $140,198 in funds for community support.
This year’s total represents a 40 per cent increase in donations compared to the previous year. The funds directly benefit the Red Deer Food Bank and The Mustard Seed, two organizations currently facing increased demand for their services. Visits to the local food bank have risen by 140 per cent since 2019, with the facility now distributing nearly 1,000 food hampers every month.
The Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise, which has been active since 1999, has now contributed over $1 million to local and international projects, including more than $110,000 in community grants for non-profits across Central Alberta. Their latest contribution to the walk placed them as the seventh-highest fundraising team among the 54 groups that participated in the city-wide event.
The Mustard Seed has provided support to the area since 1984, offering meals, laundry, hygiene services, and housing advocacy. The organization also maintains an emergency shelter in the city with a capacity for 46 people.
