The holiday season is always the busiest time of year for charities, but challenges, including the Canada Post strike, make this year even more critical for Edmontonians to donate their money, time, or effort.
"It really is that seasonal giving we rely on," Sonja Zacharko, executive director of Edmonton Meals on Wheels, told Taproot. "Over half of our donations come in this time of year. And we generally do a direct mail campaign, which even in this day and age people look for."
Taproot has assembled several ways you can give back to our community over the holidays and beyond.
Ways to offer support during the holidays
Edmonton's Food Bank is facing unprecedented demand and is calling on Edmonton residents to "foodraise" 300,000 kilograms and to fundraise $4.5 million by Jan. 10. "There's no words to express how difficult it has been for our organization," executive director Marjorie Bencz told Postmedia, adding she's never seen the food bank busier in her 30 years with the organization.
Afro-Caribbean Food Bank is a new food bank in Edmonton that collects culturally appropriate foods for those with Afro-Caribbean roots. "Food is comfort, food is culture, food gives you identity. We want to be able to give (users) that little comfort," program director Ranti George told CTV.
Given the shocking number of people without housing in Edmonton, Bissell Centre is a critical organization to support. It has launched its Become a Bissell Elf campaign, which offers opportunities to help with tasks such as gift wrapping, loading and unloading, event staffing, and food preparation.
The Bissell Centre also has an opportunity to spread holiday cheer at Hope Terrace, a residence for people living with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder. You can either purchase a gift suggested on a resident's wish list or donate money for staff to spend on a gift. The deadline to participate is Dec. 15.
Boyle Street Community Services has launched a Share the Joy campaign, offering individuals, families, and businesses a number of ways to help Edmontonians experiencing poverty and homelessness this winter.
Volunteers in the kitchen of Edmonton's Meals on Wheels. Meals are made fresh in the kitchen before being delivered to clients who cannot get food themselves, including seniors, people living with mobility challenges, and others facing food insecurity. (Supplied)
How organizations are pitching in
Organizations are also stepping up to support their community or those on the front lines over the holidays.
At Meals on Wheels, Zacharko said the organization is offering its Holiday Feastival. This is 18 days of premium meals, like brisket or turkey dinners, to help make the holidays special for clients. Zacharko said increased corporate donations in December help make the campaign possible.
Meanwhile, the Gurdwara Dukh Nivaran Sahib has raised money for Edmonton's Food Bank for 20 years. This year, it raised more than $50,000.
Analog Brewing and Alley Kat Brewing Co. have partnered on a beer-based advent calendar called the 12 Beers of Christmas, with $5 from every sale going to Edmonton's Food Bank.
Beyond the holidays
Help can extend beyond the holiday season. YEG Chinatown Re:VITA hosts a cleanup event on the second Saturday of every month. Attending the cleanup also sees volunteers receive a passport stamp for the Chinatown Chow Down Challenge, which runs until March 2025 and supports restaurants in the area.
At Meals on Wheels, Zacharko said the organization has 500 volunteers and they help throughout the year.
The organization looks for kitchen staff and drivers with reliable vehicles who can also connect with and check in on the people they are delivering to, Zacharko said. These roles come with additional requirements, but Zacharko said the trust built with clients is worth the extra time.
"We talk about food being physical, but it's so much more, and so is our delivery," she said. "It impacts individuals' well-being and their mental health and their overall wellness so much."
What else should people know about?
This is by no means a comprehensive list, so if you have a holiday-giving campaign you'd like to draw attention to, please add it in the comments below.