B.C. charity hosts Langley, Richmond pop-up donation sites

Following the Canada Post strike, the Union Gospel Mission (UGM) worked to make giving easier for donors on Monday.

The organization set up two pop-up donation drop-off sites in Richmond and Langley.

Spokesperson Sarah Chew says fifty per cent of UGM’s annual revenue comes between November and December, but this year, the organization saw a significant drop.

“Because of the interruptions and delays of the postal strikes, we decided to give donors a better way and more accessible way of getting their donations in and making sure it got in by the 2024 tax season by the end of it,” said Chew.

“And it’s a great way for them to get to know what UGM does and also give in their donations to make sure, again, that it gets in on time.”

Earlier Monday, the federal government announced it would be extending the deadline for claiming charitable donations until the end of February. Chew says UGM planned the pop-ups before the extension was confirmed but says it’s good news, regardless.

“That means that this is a chance for donors to really get in on helping people now and being sure that their donation dollars will go get an extra mile from this winter onwards to the rest of 2025 — and it’s not too late. So they have this time to take advantage of it. They should. We really encourage it, because, again, we know the difference that any dollar can make,” Chew explained.

Chews notes that winter is especially challenging for the vulnerable group of people that the UGM helps support.

“With the cold, the rain, the snow: those things can be really detrimental to community members who have to live outside, who have no way to stay warm. And so by giving, you might be allowing someone to find a shelter or to find affordable housing this winter, or maybe you’ll be able to help a family put food on the table in between paychecks. Or maybe you’re going to be able to help someone access a recovery program instead of living in addiction and succumbing to an overdose this winter. And so donations do have a tangible difference, and any donation counts towards those things.”

The UGM has 10 locations across B.C., and charitable donations can be given year-round by mail or on the organization’s website.

—With files from Michael Williams and Jack Morse.