The fourth annual Tony Martin Walk for Change in Sault Ste Marie raised nearly $14,000 for the local Soup Kitchen Community Centre this past weekend, according to organizers. About 50 volunteers marched through downtown to draw attention to rising food insecurity, with participants including former MP Tony Martin and longtime supporters Ron and Wilma Pelletier. The event, which has generated roughly $60,000 over its first three years, fell short of this year's $20,000 goal but continues to be a key fundraiser for the kitchen.

Nearly $14,000 raised, but still $6,000 short of the $20,000 goal

According to the report, the walk collected approximattely $14,000, leaving a $6,000 gap before the stated target. General manager Ron Sim said additional donations are being acceppted online through the soup kitchen's website, and he noted that small contributions from many supporters can quickly add up. The shortfall underscores the challenge of meeting escalating demand while relying on a single annual event.

500 families in May alone: the kitchen's surging demand

In the month before the walk, the Soup Kitchen Community Centre provided emergency food assistance to 500 families, a number Sim described as an all-time high . He attributed the increase to mounting local and global economic pressures, according to the report. That figure represents a steep climb from previous years and highlights how deeply inflation and cost-of-living hikes are affecting households in Northern Ontario.

A stroke survivor's legacy: Tony Martin's continued advocacy

Tony Martin, who co-founded the soup kitchen in 1983 and later served as MPP and MP, remains on the board despite a stroke he suffered in 2014. His presence at the walk, as reported, shows the enduring connection between the politician and the community he represented. Martin is widely respected nationally for his work on poverty issues, and the walk named in his honour has become a cornerstone of the city's charitable calendar.

Volunteer core: why Ron and Wilma Pelletier keep coming back

Ron Pelletier, speaking at the event, said, "We want to show other people and also our children and our grandchildren that it is important to give back." He and his wife Wilma are among dozens of longtime volunteers who ensure the kitchen operates year-round. The report notes that their dedication mirrors a broader network of community support that the kitchen relies on, even as the need grows faster than volunteer capacity.

The $6,000 gap: can online donations close it?

With the walk falling short of its goal, organizers are now counting on online contributions to bridge the gap. The report did not specify how much has been raised since the event, nor whether corporate sponsors have been approached. What remains unclear is whether the community can sustain this level of giving as demand continues to rise — and whether other fundraisers will step in to fill the widening chasm between need and resources.