Local Charities Struggle as Canada Post Strike Disrupts Donations

Local charities in Waterloo Region are facing significant challenges due to a strike by Canada Post, marking the second disruption within a year. The Food Bank of Waterloo Region, which relies heavily on postal deliveries for donations, is particularly affected, as more than 50 percent of its total contributions over the past year were collected through mail. The organization is now bracing for a second consecutive holiday season with disrupted funding.

“We’re quite concerned,” said Kim Wilhelm, CEO of the Food Bank of Waterloo Region. “From Thanksgiving to the new year is our largest season of giving, and now we’re facing a postal strike for the second year in a row.” Many of the food bank’s donors prefer sending cheques through the mail, as they may not trust or have adapted to online donation systems. Wilhelm noted that seniors and other individuals often prefer physical donations, making the postal service’s role even more critical.

The ongoing strike is also hindering the food bank’s ability to send out reminders to the community regarding donations. Wilhelm explained, “Even those who have transitioned to digital are reminded because they receive something in the mail.” This disruption is expected to have a substantial impact on the charitable sector, as many organizations rely on mail to connect with their donors.

A similar situation occurred last November when Canada Post went on strike just before the Christmas holiday season. During that time, the food bank decided to hold off on printing thousands of reminder letters. Wilhelm indicated that decisions are being made to manage the current situation, with a “small stack” of letters ready to be sent once the strike concludes.

The strike follows Canada Post’s latest offer to striking workers, which was presented on Friday. The revised offer includes a 13.59 percent wage increase spread over four years but removes a signing bonus. Reports from The Toronto Star indicate that this proposal may lead to substantial layoffs and the potential closure of nearly 500 urban and suburban post offices.

Other organizations, such as the United Way Waterloo Region Communities, are experiencing similar setbacks due to the strike. Scott Hamilton, senior director of philanthropy for the United Way, estimated that approximately 70 percent of their fall donations are received by mail. “This is a time of year when donating is essential,” Hamilton stated. He emphasized that the primary demographic for charitable donations tends to be older individuals who are accustomed to mailing contributions.

The United Way supports various local service programs, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Cambridge Food Bank, and A Better Tent City, among others. Unlike the food bank, the United Way has around 3,000 letters waiting to be dispatched, which serve as reminders for donors. Hamilton remarked, “It’s the fall letter that reminds them to get that cheque in the mail. Without that letter, we’re doing the best we can to get the word out that the need remains greater than ever.”

In light of last year’s postal strike, the United Way had to compensate for the lack of mail communication by investing additional resources into door-knocking, cold-calling, and setting up booths at community events to solicit donations. While both charities acknowledge the right of postal workers to secure a fair agreement, they hope for a swift resolution to continue their support for those in need.

“The cost of living being so high, more and more people are relying on food assistance programs in our community, which means we must be available to respond,” Wilhelm said. “What does that mean if we’re not getting the same level of donations in?” As the strike continues, the urgent need for community support remains clear.