EDMONTON - The Christmas charity campaigns are over, and the reality of the season is now settling in. And for a number of Edmonton charities, the numbers are not what they wished for.
The Salvation Army Community And Family Services is close to reaching their goal of $500,000, which is an increase from the year prior.
"A hundred percent of that money comes here, and we spend a hundred percent of that money on the families," says David Dickinson. "And the need is growing."
The Christmas Bureau of Edmonton has kept its fundraising goal steady at $1.8 million for the last three years, and so far, the organization has reached 86 percent of its desired total and been able to meet its commitment of helping 65,000 people.
Now the bills have to be paid, and Darlene Kowalchuk is worried that if the goal isn't met fully, it may impact how the organization will be able to offer services in the future.
YESS, Youth Empowerment & Support Services, is only at about 70 percent of its goal, and that has Sue Keating very concerned as well.
"The public has kept YESS open for 30 years," she says.
For the last three years, the organization has been dealing with fundraising shortfalls.
"So, we are looking at some significant cuts..we haven't rolled them out to our staff, yet, so we can't talk about it, but it is definitely hurting us."
So, why are the charities struggling? There seems to be a common answer.
"I think it's because there are so many charities and so many good organizations within the city that are looking for assistance around Christmas time. So, people don't have the extra money," explains Kowalchuk.
"People need to find what really touches their heart, to figure out what they are going to support," adds Keating. "And unfortunately that pie is only so big."
There are about 1,800 registered charities in Edmonton.
With files from Vinesh Pratap, Global News
© Global News. A division of Shaw Media Inc., 2013.