ToastyToes Waterloo Region looks for more community backing as donations dry up
The holiday giving season is an important time for charities, but this year there's a lot of competition for donor dollars, leaving some organizations falling short of their goals.
In October, ToastyToes Waterloo Region launched its annual 2022 fundraising campaign to raise money to purchase socks for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
The organization said last year it raised $62,000. This year, the organization has raised less than half of that with under a week left in the campaign.
“That’s going to really have an impact on the number of organizations that we support that have really come to rely on this fund,” said Sharon Gilroy-Dreher, founder of ToastyToes Waterloo Region. “We're the only charity that provides dedicated funds for socks, and they really are an essential item for shelters and supportive housing.”
Gilroy-Dreher believes the rising costs of gas, groceries and housing are likely to blame for the decrease in donations.
“The campaign ends this weekend, and I am really hopeful that the community will do what it does every year, which is wrap their arms around this ask and see us through to the finish line,” said Gilroy-Dreher.
While ToastyToes has received some big donations this year, it's usually the accumulation of small amounts from individuals that make up the bulk of what they raise.
What I tell people is that every $2 means a pair of socks. So your coffee can impact one person, so one pair of socks for one person is great, so if that's all you have today, that's awesome,” said Gilroy-Dreher.
It's not just ToastyToes that's finding this year tough.
Many organizations across the country are dealing with fewer donations, despite the demand for services continually increasing.
“Around this time of year it is the time when charities mostly get their donations - it's a really critical period of time,” said Nicole Danesi with CanadaHelps.
A recent Ipsos poll conducted for CanadaHelps warns people are planning on giving less.
“About 13 per cent of Canadians are expecting to give more, and that's nationally this year, 20 per cent of Canadians, however, are expected to reduce their giving. So it is a wide challenge across the board,” said Danesi.
People are being urged to donate what they can this giving season, as organizations say even small amounts can make a big difference.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Federal government grants B.C.'s request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces
The federal government is granting British Columbia's request to recriminalize hard drugs in public spaces, nearly two weeks after the province asked to end its pilot project early over concerns of public drug use.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
MPs agree Canadian gov't should improve new disability benefit
The federal government needs to safeguard the incoming Canada Disability Benefit from clawbacks and do more to ensure it actually meets the stated aim of lifting people living with disabilities out of poverty, MPs from all parties agree.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Boy Scouts of America changing name for first time in 114 years, aiming for inclusivity
The Boy Scouts of America is changing its name for the first time in its 114-year history and will become Scouting America. It's a significant shift as the organization emerges from bankruptcy following a flood of sexual abuse claims and seeks to focus on inclusion.
opinion Tom Mulcair: Trudeau's handling of Poilievre's 'wacko' House turfing a clear sign of Liberal desperation
When Speaker Greg Fergus tossed out Pierre Poilievre from the House last week, "those of us who have experience as parliamentarians simply couldn't believe our eyes," writes former NDP leader Tom Mulcair in his column for CTVNews.ca
New charges for Ont. woman who previously admitted to defrauding doulas
The Brantford, Ont. woman who was previously sentenced to house arrest after admitting to deceiving doulas has been charged again in connection to a new victim.