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Edmonton charities brace for possible postal strike

Edmonton charities brace for possible postal strike

With a postal strike looming, some Edmonton charities are encouraging donors to give in other ways.

Agencies such as The Mustard Seed and Hope Mission receive the bulk of their donations by mail.

"I would implore people, if a postal strike happens, to find an alternative way to support those that really are in need," said Dean Kurpjuweit, managing director at The Mustard Seed.

He said 92 per cent of the donations are mailed in, and the last four months of the year are critical and account for about half of those donations.

On Friday, a special mediator began working with Canada Post and the Canadian Union of Postal Workers after the union filed a 72-hour strike notice the day before, but Labour Minister MaryAnn Mihychuk said Canadians need to be ready for a potential work stoppage.

The Hope Mission is letting donors know the need is still great for overnight shelter and meal service, and will only increase as temperatures drop.

"This is the time of the year when we really count on our donors to connect with us through the mail, and also to be able to receive from us updates on how their donations are being put to work," said Mission spokesperson Robin Padanyi, where about 80 per cent of donations are mailed in.

Both agencies said donors can give over the phone or online.