On a chilly December evening, community members gathered at Chum in downtown Duluth to remember the lives lost to homelessness in 2024.

“We want to celebrate their lives and also to give solace to their loved ones who remain afterwards in this act of remembrance.” Said John Cole, executive director of Chum.

Once gathered, a march was held from Chum’s food shelf to the steps of the Duluth City Hall. Along the way, marchers held signs showing the names, faces and ages of those who had passed this year over 60 in all.

“These are human beings, part of our community. They have no obituaries,” Cole explained, “Very often they’ve led lives in which they’ve been invisible and forsaken by others, and we want to make sure that the care we’re provided for them continues even in their moments of death.”

Marchers joined others who had gathered at City Hall, where speakers then read off the names. In addition to the homeless, the list included those community activists who advocated for the unhoused. Candles were lit for each individual.

Traditional Native singing and drumming were performed by members of the Cedar Creek Singers, and speakers also offered prayers, poetry readings, and remembrance.

The December 17 event was the 15^th year the vigil has been held, and many took it as a call to action.

“This is an opportunity for us to reflect and to understand that as people die, it’s because they are failing and falling through the cracks in society. And that we need housing,” Cole said, “We need to get beyond shelter to housing, to if we really want to end homelessness and to build the community we want here in Duluth.”

Donations to Chum can be made on their website.