Imagine Canada says the pandemic is taking an unprecedented toll on giving and volunteering this holiday season. Their research indicates only 48 per cent of people in this province plan to donate over the holidays and only 17 per cent plan to volunteer. Normally about 70 per cent of people here are in a giving mood and about 31 per cent volunteer their services.

Of those who plan to give, 39 per cent say they will give less because of the health crisis with 62 per cent siting COVID-related financial difficulties. 46 per cent also want the federal government to step up with more support for charities hit hard by COVID. Imagine Canada says 72 per cent of charities in Saskatchewan have experienced a decline in donations since the pandemic began. Forty-six per cent are reporting increased demand for their services.