This article is comprised of excerpts from www.cbc.ca . Please follow the links for the full stories.

CBC.ca is doing its duty to shed light on the burden some Canadian charities are struggling under this holiday season. The perils of helping are outlined in "Calgary charities worry as donations drop," "No warmth for Halifax blanket charity this Christmas," "Donations down for agency that helps homeless families," and "Donations to youth shelter down dramatically."

Blanket of Hope, a charity that collects and distributes blankets to shelters in Halifax, says they usually receive 60 blankets around the Christmas season but had only received five as of December 11, 2008.

Jordanna Caine, the manager of Blanket of Hope, said, "It just tears me apart to think that we might not have as many as they would expect or we would expect to give."

Of course, the economy is being blamed for the lack of donations received this year.

"People are feeling a bit tighter in their budget," said Ellen Helmke, program manager for Adsum House, a shelter for women and children.

There is also a need for other comfort items such as toiletries and nightwear (No warmth for Halifax blanket charity this Christmas).

The Calgary Women’s Emergency Shelter does not have enough clothes to offer the women and children who are seeking refuge.

"...There are kids walking around upstairs without socks," said Theresa Rothenbush. "There is a woman that’s been here for two weeks wearing the same thing everyday."

Of course, charities are not only looking for donations of necessities during the holidays. There is a shortage of toys for at Immigrant Services Calgary.

"It is a challenge to make sure that all the immigrant families are able to celebrate Christmas this year," said Wendy Fahr.

With fewer donations coming in, programs available for the homeless in Calgary will likely be cut (Calgary charities worry as donations drop).

Diana Segboer, Executive Director of Inn from the Cold, says "demand for the agency's services is on the rise because of the economic downturn, but donations are also down 50 per cent compared to last year." The number of people requiring help from the shelter is growing but the organization's resources--both financial and physical--are not able to meet the need. The group aims to provide a place to sleep, a meal, and a ride to school for those who need one. "So far this year, the organization has helped 200 families, up from 187 last year." (Donations down for agency that helps homeless families).

Holiday fundraisers are struggling to provide the donations some charities expect from the season. The Youth Emergency Shelter--an orgainization that provides emergency shelter and food to those aged 15-18 in Edmonton--set a 2008 fundraising goal of $498,000. They have only received $70,000 thus far.

"The kids that come here, the situations they're in, are through no fault of their own," says Deb Cautley, the Executive Director of the Youth Emergency Shelter. "Its easy to point your finger and say, they're bad kids. But the reality is, they're kids with bad things that have happened to [them]" (Donations for youth shelter down dramatically).