A number of local charities including the Salvation Army and the Ottawa Food Bank are concerned traditionally high Christmas donations will take a hit as a result of the economic crisis.
“Our biggest fear is the financial donations,” says Peter Tilley, executive director of the Ottawa Food Bank. “We’ll see what happens in the next few weeks.”
Holiday fundraising plays a fundamental role in the lifeblood of a number of charitable organizations including The Salvation Army, The Food Bank, the Shepherds of Good Hope and the Mission.
Tilley says food drives have pulled in more donations this fall compared to previous years, but financial donations are a concern because people are spending cautiously and saving funds for tough times.
“We are waiting for the trickle-down effect,” says Tilley. “It hasn’t hit yet, but we know it is coming for us.”
The food bank also expects more people to be in need of assistance.
“For some people, it might come down to paying the hydro bill or rent and putting food on the table,” says Tilley.
Some other charities have already witnessed an increase in the number of people using their services and a decrease in donations given.
“We’re seeing there is an increase in need,” says Michael Maidment, a public relations representative for the Salvation Army. “People are either coming to us more often for help or they’re coming to us for the first time for help.”
Maidment says the Salvation Army’s donations have also dropped by about 15 per cent compared to last year. He says they are hopeful this won’t be the case in the next few weeks leading up to Christmas.
The Salvation Army’s annual Kettle Campaign is one of the organization’s biggest fundraising efforts. It raised $493,000 last year. This year’s campaign was launched on Nov. 20 and hopes to pull in $500,000.
“The funds raised from the campaign are critical,” says Maidment. “They fund a host of programs across the city that help families.”
Maidment says it is too soon to tell if donations for the Kettle Campaign have been affected.
Other Ottawa charities say they’ve been forced to cross their fingers and wait to see how the recession will impact fundraising efforts and potentially, programs offered.
“It’s something we’re watching closely,” says Shirely Roy, a spokesperson for the Ottawa Mission.
The Humane Society of Ottawa is watching to see if the falling economy will impact fundraising for distressed animals this December.
“It’s definitely something that is on our radar,” says Tara Jackson, communications manager for the Humane Society. “But I wouldn’t say that we’re fearful.”
Charities such as the Humane Society say they are aware of the concerns facing donations but are confident people in Ottawa will give generously since need is not decreasing. They also say Christmas is a traditional time of giving and this won’t change, recession or not.
“The great thing about Christmas is that it brings out the best in the people,” says Maidment. “People think of other folks in the community that have less than them.”