Lethbridge charities see decline in number of volunteers
Some Lethbridge charities are having a hard time staffing volunteers, saying the number of people willing to donate their time to non-profits over the years has decreased.
Bill Ginther, executive director of the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, says there are days when volunteers opt out at the last minute.
"Which really is difficult for us," he said. "But it happens with groups that scheduled (their shift) a long time ago."
The Lethbridge Soup Kitchen is not the only organization having trouble recruiting volunteers; the Lethbridge Food Bank is also struggling.
"I think a lot of our volunteers (are) retirees, people who have recently found a lot of time to come in, but those retirees aren't coming in as fast," said executive director Mac Nicol.
Jaci Zalesak from the United Way of Lethbridge and South Western Alberta says she thinks the cost of living is having an impact on their number of volunteers.
Amanda Jensen, executive director of Volunteer Lethbridge, says they're working to attract new volunteers to help with the shortfalls.
"I don't see this changing any time soon," she said. "I don't think it's anything to be overcome. I think this is an adaptation, a societal adaptation that we're in the midst of right now, and we have to pay attention to."
Despite the decrease in volunteers across Lethbridge, there are many who continue to help.
"I love it here," said Charlie Nordquist, a volunteer at the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen.
"I’m here one Monday a month, and I just love the interaction with the people."
According to Volunteer Lethbridge, just over half of Lethbridge residents volunteered last year donating just over 90 hours of their time on average.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian team told Trump's tariffs unavoidable right now, but solutions on the table in surprise Mar-a-Lago meeting
During a surprise dinner at Mar-a-Lago, representatives of the federal government were told U.S. tariffs from the incoming Donald Trump administration cannot be avoided in the immediate term, two government sources tell CTV News.
Toronto man accused of posing as surgeon, performing cosmetic procedures on several women
A 29-year-old Toronto man has been charged after allegedly posing as a surgeon and providing cosmetic procedures on several women.
Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage young girl with hug and kiss
A Saskatoon priest accused of sexual assault says he meant to encourage and reassure a young girl when he hugged and kissed during his testimony at Saskatoon Provincial Court Friday.
Bob Bryar, drummer for rock band My Chemical Romance, dead at 44
Bob Bryar, former drummer for the band My Chemical Romance, has died. He was reportedly 44.
Trump threatens 100% tariff on the BRIC bloc of nations if they act to undermine U.S. dollar
U.S. president-elect Donald Trump on Saturday threatened 100 per cent tariffs against a bloc of nine nations if they act to undermine the U.S. dollar.
W5 Investigates 'I never took part in beheadings': Canadian ISIS sniper has warning about future of terror group
An admitted Canadian ISIS sniper held in one of northeast Syria’s highest-security prisons has issued a stark warning about the potential resurgence of the terror group.
'Disappointing': Toronto speed camera cut down less than 24 hours after being reinstalled
A Toronto speed camera notorious for issuing tens of thousands of tickets to drivers has been cut down again less than 24 hours after it was reinstalled.
Bruce the tiny Vancouver parrot lands internet fame with abstract art
Mononymous painter Bruce has carved a lucrative niche on social media with his abstract artworks, crafted entirely from the colourful juices of fruits.
Poilievre suggests Trudeau is too weak to engage with Trump, Ford won't go there
While federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau this week, calling him too 'weak' to engage with U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, Ontario Premier Doug Ford declined to echo the characterization in an exclusive Canadian broadcast interview set to air this Sunday on CTV's Question Period.