November 22, 2024, Reposted from Calgary Herald Article.
By Heather Morley, CEO, Inn from the Cold and Danielle Ladouceur, CEO, Children’s Cottage Society
The holiday season is a time for generosity, joy and connection. But this year, for families facing an affordability crisis in Calgary, it’s a time of profound uncertainty.
As temperatures drop and utility bills soar, already tight budgets are stretched past the breaking point. Combined with the increased cost of living, the holidays bring added financial strain for vulnerable families. The demand for emergency shelter, affordable housing, nourishing food and other support has reached unprecedented levels. The charities serving these families are grappling with the challenge of doing more with less.
The affordability crisis has already created a “new normal” for non-profits such as Inn From the Cold and Children’s Cottage Society. Rising costs and stagnant wages are pushing more families to the brink, leading to an ever-increasing need for help. Now, the Canada Post strike threatens to disrupt one of the most critical lifelines for these charities: holiday fundraising.
For many charities, a significant portion of annual donations arrive through the mail during the holidays. These donations fund the programs and services that vulnerable families rely on to find safety, warmth and hope. With postal delays, critical funding is at risk when it’s needed most.
For the families we serve, the affordability crisis is more than just a headline, it’s their reality. Parents working multiple jobs still can’t afford rent, and children are growing up in temporary shelters instead of stable homes.
At the same time, many donors are facing their own financial challenges. Rising costs are making it harder for people to give, and donations are smaller or less frequent. The strike adds yet another obstacle, delaying mailed appeals and jeopardizing the critical funds that non-profits rely on to support families in crisis.
For organizations dedicated to serving vulnerable families, this is a crisis. With fewer donations and greater demand for services, the stakes have never been higher.
This challenge is bigger than any single organization. It requires the collective effort of our community to step up, think creatively and take action in new ways to ensure Calgary’s most vulnerable families are not left behind this holiday season.
During the postal strike, there are ways to ensure your support has an immediate effect. Donating online is fast, secure and effective, while making a donation by phone ensures your gift reaches families without delay. Acting early is crucial — don’t wait for a mailed appeal to remind you. Your gift today can help provide housing, warmth and hope to families in need when they need it most.
This year, many charities are doubling the effect of donations through matching campaigns. Every dollar donated is matched, making your gift go twice as far for vulnerable families during the holiday season.
This is about more than delayed mail. It’s about the kind of community we want Calgary to be — a place where families in crisis find hope, compassion and a path forward.
No family should face the holidays without a safe place to call home. Whether it’s providing emergency shelter, affordable housing or wraparound support, Calgary’s charities are working tirelessly to meet the growing demand. But they can’t do it without your help.
This holiday season, we urge Calgarians to come together to ensure no family is left behind. Your generosity can bring warmth, stability and joy to families in need.
Let’s make this season one of compassion, resilience and hope.
