With the funds still rolling in for the Canadian Red Cross’ wildfire relief effort, other Calgary charities are reporting a drop in donations as a result.
The Calgary chapter of Meals on Wheels says it is experiencing a drop in donations since the wildfire in Fort McMurray.
“We absolutely understand that the people up there, our neighbours to the north, need the support they are getting,” said Christine Conley with the organization. “We’ve definitely seen a decrease in the number of donors and the amount of donations.”
Experts say that extensive media coverage is definitely playing a role, tipping the scales in the Red Cross’ favour.
“It’s touching people’s hearts and when a disaster of this scale happens, people are affected emotionally by it,” said James Staunch with the Institute for Community Prosperity at MRU.
Charities now need to come up with new, innovative ideas to bring in donors, like Cassis Bistro’s fundraiser for the Calgary Women's Emergency Shelter next month.
“A bunch of us women got together and we really wanted to create an exciting culinary event,” said Andrea Brassart with Cassis Bistro. “They’ve lost a lot of funding due to corporate loss and budgets in the province have kind of shifted to other areas.”
A number of local charities say that while they want people to support those that need it most at this time, they want Albertans to remember them in the future.
To date, the Canadian Red Cross has raised $79M for the Fort McMurray wildfire evacuees.
