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London’s Salvation Army is facing a “critical shortfall” with less than half of its financial goal raised and many volunteer spots empty heading into the final stretch of its Christmas campaign, officials say.
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The agency has put out a call to the London community to dig deep and give more money and time to the annual Christmas Kettle collection drive so it can meet its local fundraising goal of $650,000.
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Officials say that 44 per cent of “kettle shifts” – volunteers who guard donation spots in public places like malls – remained unfilled as of Thursday. In a statement, officials indicated the lack of help is as concerning as the donation shortfall.
“Every day, we see people in our community having to make impossible choices,” Nancy Kerr, executive director of The Salvation Army London Community Services, said in a statement. “No one should have to decide between paying rent, or having a Christmas for the family.
“This is why more volunteers are urgently needed. Just a few hours of time can make a real difference in someone’s life.”
The financial pinch is felt nationwide, with local officials saying donations are down 50 per cent right across Canada. The Canada Post strike is dragging on through what officials called “the most crucial fundraising season of the year” and has delayed the delivery of more than two million direct-mail appeals.
That translates into a $9.3-million nationwide donation shortfall due to the strike, officials say, that is “jeopardizing essential support for vulnerable Canadians.” Officials didn’t say exactly how much has been raised in London so far, only that it’s below 50 per cent of their goal with Christmas now less than two weeks away.
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