Charities hurt by drop in donations
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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/12/2020 (1914 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.
Local charities’ stockings are light this year, as a recent survey reports more than one-third of Canadians will donate less this holiday season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Monday, Imagine Canada, an organization that supports Canadian charities and non-profits, released its sector monitor survey, which analyzed the impact of COVID-19 on charities in November and December.
“(The survey) illustrates the challenges that (charities) are facing and also the importance of giving over the holiday season, because with 40 per cent of individual donations coming in in the last six to eight weeks of the year, this is a crucial time for the sector’s ability to continue to provide services into 2021,” said Bruce MacDonald, president and chief executive officer of Imagine Canada.
According to the survey, 68 per cent of charities have received fewer donations since the onset of the pandemic, but the demand for services has increased by 46 per cent.
“(This) really does highlight the sort of double whammy that the sector is facing. This surge in demand for services, combined with a decrease in supply,” said MacDonald.
“If there’s a year to at least continue what you’ve done in the past, if not dip a little deeper knowing that many regular donors aren’t going to be able to do what they’ve done in the past, this is the year to do it.”
The Manitoba Salvation Army’s annual fundraising goal for the holidays is $530,000; so far, it has raised less than $60,000.
“We’re not able to have our physical kettles (donation sites) out in the stores… that’s usually how we would raise most of the funds at Christmas, with that smiling volunteer talking with the donor,” said Maj. Jamie Rands, public relations for the Prairie region.
Donations during the holiday season help pay for Christmas hampers, meal programs, food banks, housing supports and more.
“We cannot do what we do without the strong outpouring of support and generosity from our donors and volunteers,” said Rands.
“Every day, individuals and families are facing tough decisions… Manitobans continue to live in poverty, they’re struggling to make ends meet, and then we add the challenges that are brought on by COVID-19 and our work is more critical than ever.”