How Calgary charities are faring during second holiday season amid a global pandemic

Since the pandemic was declared 21 months ago, more people than ever are seeking services through non-profit and charitable organizations in Calgary.

The United Way says those delivering the services are feeling the pinch, trying to help as many people as possible with often limited resources.

"The organizations themselves, two Christmases in, there's a lot of stress … individual and organizational stress, both in the people who need the services and in the people who provide the services," said Beth Gignac, chief impact officer for the United Way of Calgary and Area.

More people seeking help

"It's very tough. The groups themselves, and the front-line staff that are working in these organizations, continue to deal with all of this complexity and increased demand. People have had to deal with so much: job loss, financial hardship, isolation, illness and, in some cases, even losing loved ones," Gignac said.

That means many families and individuals who had never needed to access things like mental health supports, financial assistance or food are now finding themselves in need of some assistance.

The United Way's Susan Brooke says mental health is a growing issue.

"I think agencies are seeing issues around mental health more broadly that people are coming in with, but also food security. So many more agencies are now dealing with those issues than there would have been prior to COVID," said Brooke, the agency's vice-president of community impact.

The United Way says there are fewer and often smaller financial donations coming in, as businesses and individual donors have had a tough couple of financial years.

The silver lining, say Gignac and Brooke, is that charitable organizations are working more collaboratively to make every dollar count, and help as many people as possible.

"The financial resources are also joining up, so we at the United Way and other funders are saying, 'OK, well how can we leverage the funds that we do have because philanthropy is also suffering because of the overall conditions in our economy.'"

Holiday referrals up

Holiday-based charities say they are seeing more referrals than in years past, too.

The Magic of Christmas partners with Calgary Transit to turn regular city buses into "reindeer buses" that go to Calgary neighbourhoods delivering gifts to families.

The Magic of Christmas is preparing to visit at least 800 homes on Christmas Eve and is still receiving referrals.

"Mostly because of COVID, I think we are seeing a bigger increase. COVID also causes issues on the company side, too, so some of the businesses and donors that could help us in years past aren't able to help this year," said Scott Perley, president of the charity.

For decades, the Calgary Firefighters Toy Association has been putting on a whole-day Christmas experience for local families complete with a visit from Santa Claus and gifts.

Last year, for the first time in its 52 year history, the association was forced to cancel its annual event due to the pandemic health restrictions.

The event is back this year but will be a drive-thru experience with staggered arrival times for families.

And like the Magic of Christmas, the Firefighters Toy Association expects an increase in referrals over years past.

"On an average year, we look at helping 1,800 to 2,000 families, so that translates to about 3,600 kids that we provide a Christmas experience for, including gifts," said Mark Hagel, president of the association.

Despite the increase in need, the charities are confident the toy drives will meet their goals again this year.

There are toy donation bins at local businesses, but for those who aren't heading out to do physical shopping, they can make a financial donation online.

Both charities say the cash is needed to help make the season merry for a couple of key age groups.

"That helps us fill in that age group that we always seem to miss and that's the nine- to 12-year-olds. We always tend to have to buy for that group because people tend to think of little kids at Christmas. So a donation is always appreciated as well," said Hagel.

"If anybody has a teen or has had teenagers, you know the stuff they want is sometimes tougher to get or it can be tougher to please, so we really look for gift cards. I had two teens myself and I knew that the thing that made them happiest was getting the gift cards so they could get the exact thing that they wanted."

And if donating goods or money isn't in the cards this year, the charities say the gift of time is invaluable.

They are asking people and corporations who can't give financially to spend a shift volunteering with their charity of choice, and say volunteers are the key to helping them continue to deliver their programs and services.