Salvation Army Reports 50% Drop in Holiday Donations Amid Mail Strike
The Salvation Army reports a 50 percent decrease in holiday donations since the start of the Canada Post strike, resulting in a drop of approximately $9.3 million compared to last year at this time.
Mail-in contributions are crucial for the Army’s fundraising efforts, according to spokesperson Lt.-Col. John Murray, but the postal campaign has come to a standstill during the ongoing labour dispute, coinciding with the charity’s busiest time of the year.
Murray mentioned that 65 percent of their annual fundraising occurs between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, with about two-thirds of that coming from mail donations.
He expressed concern, stating, “The inability of our donors to make donations may impact our ability to provide services not just during the holidays but throughout the upcoming year,” as the organization supports various programs like food banks and shelters across the country.
While online donations have seen a $100,000 increase compared to last year, Murray emphasized that it does not compensate for the shortfall in mail-in donations.
Although individuals are still contributing in person by placing cash in the Salvation Army’s iconic red Christmas kettles, Murray noted a one-third decrease, amounting to $2 million, in this campaign compared to the same period last year.
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Murray attributed this decline to a shorter holiday season due to a later U.S. Thanksgiving date and economic factors.
Concerned about the impact, he stated, “It’s a crisis for the Salvation Army because it could possibly impact our delivery of service to Canadians who need us more than ever at this time in our history.”
Proposing a solution, Murray suggested moving the charity-related tax deduction deadline from December to January or February to allow donors to contribute later and still receive credit for the 2024 tax year.
While acknowledging that donors are not solely motivated by tax benefits, he expressed worry that some may choose not to donate if they cannot contribute until 2025.
He expressed concern that if the postal strike persists, people may move on and forget about their charitable intentions during the giving season.
Murray emphasized the importance of physical mail-in donations, particularly for the Salvation Army’s older donors who rely on postal services and appreciate the personal touch of handwritten letters.
The Salvation Army encourages donations online at SalvationArmy.ca, by phone at 1-800-SAL-ARMY, or in person at one of their 2,000 Christmas kettle locations nationwide.
