Like other charities, the Salvation Army is facing some fundraising barriers this holiday season due to the mail strike.
The organization’s annual Kettle Campaign has raised about one-third of its $365,000 goal.
Christmas Campaign Co-ordinator Richard Smith says they are in danger of missing their goal with just over a week left to go.
“We have 33,000 letters that are sitting here in the church that never got out. But with the mail strike that’s gonna be hard to achieve because the mail campaign basically brings in about two-thirds of our donations.”
Smith invites regular donors through the letter campaign to drop their cheques in the kettles set up around the city or at the office at 290 Bridge Street West in Belleville.
Donors will still receive a tax receipt via email or mail once the strike ends.
Smith says they’re also still accepting volunteers to man kettles around the city.
You can sign up online by clicking here.
“And that’ll show you all the spots. You can sign yourself in and pick your spot and go from there. Or if you can’t, you can contact me at the church and we’ll get you signed up.”
Contact Smith by phone at 613-661-3215.
Funds raised by the campaign stay local.
“Our bottom line is that we feed people. We’re feeding 1,200 people a week. So, we need your support.”
In addition to their dinner programs, funding from the campaign also goes towards youth programming and other initiatives.
The 2024 Christmas Kettle Campaign runs until December 23.
