Charities across Canada squeezed as donations dry up

Officials with Canadian charities say the wobbly economy is squeezing the number of donations and endowments they typically receive as need continues to rise across the country.

The Vancouver Foundation, which gives out endowments to charities, expects to give 25 per cent less to charities, according to spokeswoman Catherine Clement.

"We know given the market conditions and trying to be reasonably cautious that we're probably looking at a $10- to $15-million decline in the amount of money that we put back out in the community," she said.

'The thing that people don't seem to realize is but for a paycheck, they could be the next person on our list that needs help.' —Barb Warren, Salvation Army

Meanwhile at the grassroots level, charities including the Salvation Army say donations are slow in coming.

Barb Warren, a Dartmouth-based manager with the Salvation Army, said she's urging people to continue giving.

"The thing that people don't seem to realize is but for a paycheck, they could be the next person on our list that needs help," she said.

Similarly, Mike MacDonald of the Upper Room Food Bank in Charlottetown says more people are having a hard time making ends meet.

"We have seen an increase of over six per cent in just over the last number of weeks," he said.

But Michael McKnight, a spokesman for the United Way, said despite the economic turmoil, Canadians will find a way to help each other.

"Our history shows and research shows that when times are tough, donors tend to dig a little deeper into their pockets recognizing there are people around them who need some additional support," he said.