Non-profits concerned postal strike will dampen fundraising efforts

With Canada Post Workers taking strike action, some B.C. non-profits are expressing concern about their end-of-year fundraising efforts.

Sophie Kelk is the senior manager of marketing and communications for Coast Mental Health Foundation, a non-profit that provides mental health care for people in B.C. She says many supporters donate at the end of the year, with about 35 per cent preferring to send cheques through the mail.

“In general, for a lot of nonprofits, this is the biggest giving season for them, and so it’s really crucial to ensuring that community-based programs are able to continue to support our most vulnerable populations,” Kelk said.

“That could have a really significant impact on our ability to raise the funds needed to support programs,” she said.

Nicole Mucci with the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) — an organization that supports people experiencing homelessness and addiction in the Lower Mainland — shares a similar concern.

“A fairly significant portion of our donations do still come through traditional mail,” Mucci said.

“While we support a fair resolution for all parties, for the postal workers through this strike, we also want to make sure that we’re able to continue serving those who are really in need in our community.”

The 55,000 Canada Post workers represented by the Canadian Union of Postal Workers went on strike as of 12:01 a.m. Friday, saying it’s been asking for fair wages, safer working conditions, and other improvements over nearly a year of bargaining.

Kelk wants donors to know that mailing cheques is not the only option.

“If people want to make a difference and make sure that they receive their tax receipts before the end of the year, they can go online to donate,” she said.

Donations to Coast Mental Health can be made at coastmentalhealth.com or by calling 604-872-3502. UGM accepts donations online at ugm.ca or over the phone at 1-888-347-4673.