The Salvation Army has warned of an alarming increase in need across Canada and within Ontario.
The organization pointed to recent research showing more than half of Ontarians polled said they had faced food security challenges in the past year. Over half of respondents expect to face food challenges over the next six months.
At the same time, the Salvation Army is also experiencing a sharp decrease in donations to its annual Christmas Kettle Campaign this year.
With less than a week until Christmas, the organization is $4.9 million behind on its campaign donation goal in Ontario.
“We’re very worried. We have never seen a need this great while experiencing a lag in motivated donations,” said Glenn van Gulik, divisional secretary for public relations. “Many of those impacted are no longer the most vulnerable in society – they could be a friend, neighbour, or family member. People who have donated in past are now finding themselves needing our help this season.”
“Donations from the Christmas Kettle Campaign go to support food hampers, help put toys and clothes under the trees of children in need at Christmas, and makeup a large percentage of the funds the organization needs to provide front-line support services to Canadians throughout the year. The services include food banks, children’s breakfast programs, housing supports, substance-use recovery, and care for women and children fleeing domestic violence,” said an appeal released Tuesday from the Salvation Army.
“We are calling on Canadians to donate what they can in the week leading up to Christmas and help The Salvation Army provide support to fellow Canadians in need, both this Christmas season and throughout the year,” said van Gulik.
