Challenging blow: Canada Post strike hindering Ontario food banks [Video]

The ongoing Canada Post strike is threatening to disrupt critical holiday fundraising efforts for food banks across Ontario.

Institutions like the Cambridge Food Bank and Food Banks Mississauga are concerned about the potential shortfall in donations, as postal workers across Canada halt operations to demand fairer wages and better working conditions.

The Cambridge Food Bank is experiencing the highest demand in its 39-year history, and its largest annual fundraiser, which is driven largely by mail-in donations, is at a stand-still.

“Unfortunately, we were just 24 hours too late in getting the letters out to our donors,” said Dianne McLeod, CEO of the Cambridge Food Bank

“We rely heavily on the donations generated by our sponsorship letters to sustain year-round programs.”

Last month, the Cambridge Food Bank supported more than 2,000 families — a 21 per cent increase from the same period last year, McLeod said. The organization relies heavily on December donations, which often arrive by mail as a cheque.

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