Canada Post delays during holiday giving season impact charities

Imagine Canada, the national umbrella for the charitable and nonprofit sector, is urging Canada Post, its workers, and other parties to expedite the delivery of mail as we approach the holiday season.

“Charities, and the communities they serve, count on reliable postal services for reaching donors and receiving contributions,” said Bruce MacDonald, Imagine Canada President & CEO. “Any disruptions to postal services, especially at this crucial time of year, have negative consequences for charities and their ability to provide services to vulnerable individuals and communities.”

Many charities receive a disproportionate amount of their annual donations in the last three months of the year, with the December holiday giving period being particularly important. While the situation varies from charity to charity, a significant number of donors respond to direct mail appeals and rely on the postal system to make their donations.

This month is the most critical, by far, in terms of generating revenue for the hospital and we typically receive close to $2 million via mailed donations during December alone,” says Ted Garrard, CEO, SickKids Foundation. “Some of Canada’s most diligent and loyal donors still rely on the mail and it’s those donations we risk missing out on this season.”

The holiday giving campaign is an annual tradition for many donors that reflects the spirit of the season and provides key resources to support patients who rely on Canada’s health charities,” says Connie Côté, CEO of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada. “Many of the donors to our members still depend on postal delivery to fulfil their commitments, particularly at this important time of the year.”

See link to article published on Imagine Canada website here