Overview

• The Salvation Army reports a 50% drop in holiday donations, amounting to a $9.3 million shortfall compared to last year.
• Mail-in donations, which make up two-thirds of the charity's seasonal fundraising, have been significantly impacted by the ongoing Canada Post strike, now in its fourth week.
• The organization relies on holiday donations for 65% of its annual fundraising, which supports food banks, shelters, and emergency relief services across Canada.
• Online contributions have increased slightly, but the rise is insufficient to offset losses from mail-in and in-person donations, which are also down by a third.
• Salvation Army officials are urging donors to give online, by phone, or in person, and have proposed extending the tax deduction deadline to mitigate the impact of delayed donations.