A program that feeds more than 6,000 kids across B.C., with offices in Vancouver and Victoria, is lamenting the lack of mail while celebrating a bank donation.
For Backpack Buddies, a Vancouver-based non-profit dedicated to providing food for children every weekend, the Canada Post strike couldnB次元官网网址檛 have come at a worse time. The charity depends on final donations of the year to offset rising costs of living and feeding the families they serve.
B次元官网网址淩ight now, one in five children in B.C. are expected to experience hunger this season. While many people are preparing for the holidays, too many kids are wondering if theyB次元官网网址檒l have enough to eat,B次元官网网址 co-founder Joanne Griffiths said in a news release. B次元官网网址淭he holiday season is traditionally the biggest giving time of year for us, with nearly half our annual donations coming in November and December.B次元官网网址
Backpack Buddies relies heavily on donations for its initiative that ensures children who rely on school meal programs during the week have enough to eat when school is not in session. Each week, the organization delivers bags filled with kid-friendly food to kids across the province, including remote Indigenous communities such as Kitasoo, Wuikinuxv, Klahoose, and Bella Bella.
Like many charities, the Canada Post strike is impacting donations.
B次元官网网址淲ith the strike in place, weB次元官网网址檙e already seeing a drop in donations that are critical to supporting our efforts. I'm used to opening the mail and seeing envelopes come in every day. It's nerve-wracking to see that empty mailbox. This is especially concerning as we have a growing waitlist of children who need our help,B次元官网网址 Griffiths said.
The need is particularly urgent this year, as rising costs of living B次元官网网址 including transportation prices and rent B次元官网网址 have put more pressure on families, making it even harder for parents to provide food for their children. With a waitlist of 2,000 young people, the organization is celebrating a partnership with TD Bank which is doubling impact of donations B次元官网网址 matching up to $50,000.
B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 erase the waitlist overnight, but right now we are doing everything we can to ensure that children donB次元官网网址檛 go hungry, and that means rallying our incredible community to help us reach our fundraising target,B次元官网网址 Griffiths said. B次元官网网址淓very donation, whether itB次元官网网址檚 $25 or more for a weekend food bag, makes a huge difference. IB次元官网网址檝e seen the generosity of our kind community before, and IB次元官网网址檓 hopeful we can get everyone behind this. Right now, the best way for supporters to help us is by making a donation online.B次元官网网址
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