The Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Fund is feeling the pinch following the national postal strike, as December donations are down significantly.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
The Medicine Hat News Santa Claus Foundation, a charity that provides toys and Christmas meals for more than 600 low-income families annually, says the national strike by postal workers has caused a decline in mail-in donations used to buy children’s gifts and grocery vouchers.
The SCF reports being down more than $50,000 compared to last year due to a significant reduction in December donations due to the labour strife, an issue magnified by a record number of intake families for the charity this season.
“We’re predicting usage is going to be at an all-time high before we wrap the season, and our donations are down.” says executive director Deanna Doerksen. “We’re really feeling the pinch of those individual, private donors not being able to mail in their yearly donation.”
Each year following Remembrance Day, the SCF sends a large batch of letters to the community seeking donations, and will normally receive a small stack of donations in the mail each day thereafter. This year, most of those donations have not materialized.
“And we’re fearful that they won’t come through,” says Doerksen, who says this year the SCF is hopeful to provide more than $90,000 in grocery gift cards to families in need, a cost that has grown due to the rising cost of food.
Last year the SCF was able to provide more than 630 families with $81,000 in grocery gift cards, as well as presents for more than 1,000 children in the community.
“That’s a huge part of our season. Not only has the cost of groceries gone up, so we’ve had to increase our grocery gift card amount, but the price of toys has increased drastically. So we’re definitely feeling the pinch of the mail strike,” explains Doerksen.
A large portion of money used for grocery vouchers, more than $40,000, was raised during the 33rd annual Santa Claus Fund Charity Auction last Thursday at DayzOff Pub through a live and silent auction supported by more than 40 local businesses and community groups.
The SCF still has two more days remaining for family intake before its full list is finalized for the season, and organizers are hoping more donations roll in to ensure all families are able to have a merry Christmas.
Donations can be made in person by visiting the Santa Claus Fund, located at 3257 Dunmore Rd., or online by visiting mhsantafund.ca. Donations will also be matched dollar for dollar if they are dropped off at any local Scotiabank location.
