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Charities and non-profits in Guelph and surrounding areas are feeling the financial crunch.
People like United Way Guelph Wellington Dufferin are having to adjust their operations as a result of fewer donations coming in to the organization.
“The cost of providing services is high and the funds available to do so are low,” said executive director Glenna Banda. “It is forcing us as a sector to adapt, to look at how we are delivering services and supporting the community.”
A recent survey of nearly 3,000 charities in Canada found that 57 per cent are having trouble keeping up with demand. A third also reported a significant drop in revenue.
“They are starting to get caught up in the pressure of increased demand for services and stagnant revenue,” said Duke Chang, CEO of CanadaHelps.
The survey also found that 40 percent of respondents said they saw more demand for their services than before the pandemic.
The impact of the drop in revenue and increase in use of services is also being felt among volunteers and staff.
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Banda said, ‘The morale is low. “But Guelph is a very caring community. We know this will pass and we will be able to persevere.
The impact of the pandemic is believed to have taken a toll on the fundraising efforts.
The Salvation Army Guelph Citadel recently raised $144,917 during its Christmas Kettle campaign. But at one point, it was at $96,000 with five days to go. A last-minute rally enabled it to get closer but it still fell $15,000 short of its $160,000 target.
The Guelph Food Bank saw a drop in food donations. It fell short of its fall food drive goal of 90,000 pounds. Like other nonprofits in Guelph, it’s struggling to keep up with demand.
“There were a lot of different methods of fundraising that didn’t work during that period,” Banda said. “There were many organizations that could not do the program and now we are under the pressure of the economic situation.”
With files from The Canadian Press
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