Ottawa-area charities who rely heavily on mail-in donations are feeling the effects of the Canada Post labour dispute.
The Ottawa Mission said 85 per cent of its donations normally come in via mail, so its donations are drastically lower compared to other years.
"We have about ten per cent of what we had at this time last year," said Diane Morrison with the Ottawa Mission. "We usually make about $200,000 in May and June and we have ten per cent (of that)."
She added that this time last year, the Ottawa Mission got about 600 pieces of mail a day.
Mission workers said they're busy working the phones trying to remind people of other ways they can donate – e-mail, phone, or in person.
Also busy are the servers at Mayflower Restaurant on Elgin Street, counting a different kind of currency – postage stamps.
The restaurant's manager said they've dealt with some skepticism at the offer.
"We've had a couple of phone calls," said Bob Jones. "Somebody said ‘Well if I bring in $50 in stamps, could I pay for my meal?' and I said go ahead."
However, skepticism is good in another case of a business supposedly adjusting to the lack of mail.
Hydro Ottawa said scammers are calling their customers trying to get people to pay their hydro bills by credit card; a service Hydro Ottawa said they don't offer.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Kate Eggins
