It’s the season of giving and there are many local charities doing everything they can to help people in Ottawa this Christmas.
CTV News Ottawa has spoken to several organizations in need of donations.
Caring and Sharing Exchange
The Caring and Sharing Exchange is home to the Christmas Exchange program, which provides those in need with food hampers or redeemable gift certificates during the holiday season.
This year, 9,419 families, consisting of 29,250 individuals turned to the Caring and Sharing Exchange for support, the organization said Tuesday.
“Due to this overwhelming increase in demand for assistance and significant delays in donations caused by the ongoing postal strike, the program is falling short and still has 234 families waiting to hear if they will receive assistance this year,” a news release said.
“We are urgently calling on our community to help by donating online to ensure we can continue providing support to those who need it most,” said executive director Cindy Smith.
To donate, visit https://caringandsharing.ca/
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Ottawa (BBBSO) matches children with mentors, to enable life-changing relationships that ignite the power and potential of young people.
“Right now, over 70 children and youth are still on our waiting list, wishing for a caring adult mentor to brightener their lives. A friend, just for them, to encourage and create new experiences together,” the BBBSO said on social media Tuesday.
You can donate at https://www.bbbso.ca/
Ottawa Network for Education
The Ottawa Network for Education runs several programs, including the School Breakfast Program, Classroom Gardens and OttawaReads. The organization collaborates with partners from education, business, government, and the community to develop enriching programs for K-12 students.
You can donate at https://onfe-rope.ca/
Banff Avenue Community House
The Banff Avenue Community House is a grassroots charitable organization located in the heart of a social housing community offering programs, services and supports.
Support services include after-school programs for kids and a food bank. The organization is looking for non-perishable food donations and cash.
You can donate at https://banffcommunityhouse.ca/
Matthew House
Matthew House supports refugee claimants in Ottawa, providing food, shelter and resources to help them integrate into the community and live independently. It also offers a furniture bank, which has furnished more than 1,700 homes across the city.
The organization is in particular need of food and winter clothing at this time of year, or monetary donations.
You can donate at https://www.matthewhouseottawa.org/about
Olde Forge Community Resource Centre
The Olde Forge Community Resource Centre is a non-profit, charitable organization that serves seniors and adults with physical disabilities living in the west end of Ottawa. The Olde Forge provides other services for the greater Ottawa area, such as a weekly foot clinic, fitness and social recreation programs, and annual tax clinics for seniors.
You can donate at https://www.oldeforge.ca/
Ottawa Food Bank
The Ottawa Food Bank provides healthy, fresh food through 112 food programs across the city, but it has seen a dramatic increase in the number of people using their services this year as costs skyrocket.
One in every four households in Ottawa is considered food insecure according to the Ottawa Food Bank’s 8th annual Hunger Report.
With increasing demand and their own rising costs, the Ottawa Food Bank says it and its partners are stretched to their limits.
You can donate at https://www.ottawafoodbank.ca/
Ottawa Mission
The Ottawa Mission serves residents who are homeless, hungry and lost, by providing food, clothing, shelter and skills.
The Mission says it is also dealing with unprecedented demand this year, and it’s now winter, meaning there is even more need for shelter.
You can donate at https://ottawamission.com/
Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre
The Dave Smith Youth Treatment Centre is a non-profit, live-in, and community-based agency that is dedicated to helping youth (13-21) and families across Ontario overcome substance use and related issues and to achieve a healthier lifestyle.
This is a critical time of year for the charity.
You can donate at https://davesmithcentre.org/
United Way East Ontario
United Way East Ontario tackles a variety of issues, from mental health and addictions to housing and homelessness. It helps seniors, caregivers, children and youth. Its programs deal with social and systems change, poverty and basic needs and equity and reconciliation.
Supporting United Way also helps supports many other local charitable organizations.
TD has offered to match all donations made until Dec. 31.
You can donate at https://www.unitedwayeo.ca/
Cornerstone Housing for Women
Cornerstone Housing for Women provides shelter for up to 165 women each night and provides supportive housing for 156 women across our five housing communities in Ottawa. It also offers health care, counselling, and housing supports to the women it serves.
The DH Gordon Foundation has agreed to match donations until Dec. 31.
You can donate at https://cornerstonewomen.ca/
Ottawa Humane Society
The Ottawa Humane Society cares for thousands of sick, injured and homeless animals. There are currently hundreds of animals at its shelter in need of new homes.
Homeless animals are at greater risk in the winter due to the cold.
Donations to the Ottawa Humane Society will be doubled until Dec. 31.
You can donate at https://ottawahumane.ca/