This week we had a message on Facebook about how food bank clients are screened. Making sure that donated food reaches the people who need it is an important matter that we’re happy to address.

It’s our mission to provide food to people in Mississauga who live in poverty. We understand that most people who visit a food bank don’t want to be there – something has happened in their lives that has made it impossible for them to make ends meet, often loss of work or housing. This can happen to anyone, and though we strongly believe that no one should feel embarrassed to seek help, there is still a stigma associated with using a food bank – people generally don’t visit us unless they really need to.

However, we still have a process in place to ensure that food reaches the people who need it most. In order to be a client of The Mississauga Food Bank, individuals must show proof of residency, income, assets and expenses – including housing and childcare. This is done yearly, although most clients rely on our services for less than one year before they’re back on their feet.

If you have any questions or comments about who’s eligible to receive assistance from The Mississauga Food Bank and other measures in place to ensure the needs of the hungry in Mississauga are met, please feel free to contact Dawn Pullar, our Director of Agency Relations, at dawn@themississaugafoodbank.org or 905-270-5589 ext. 224.

We aimed for 70,000 pounds of food for our Spring Food Drive – and our community donated 95,452 pounds! We are so grateful for every contribution; they will help us provide food for our hungry neighbours over the slow summer months.

Thank you to the volunteers, grocery stores and fire halls that helped collect and sort the food – we couldn’t have done it without you!

Also, the Greater Toronto Apartment Association ran their Spring H.O.P.E. Food Drive, which raised food in 79 apartment buildings in Mississauga.

Learn how you can continue to support The Mississauga Food Bank over the summer here.

MISSISSAUGA – May 6, 2013 – Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners of Mississauga are stepping up to offer continued support for people in the community who live with poverty and hunger.

They’re partnering with The Mississauga Food Bank as the visionary sponsor in the food bank’s new annual sponsorship program. The contribution from the Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners – $150,000 over three years – will ensure continued support for The Mississauga Food Bank’s food programs until 2015.

“After many years of a strong partnership, Local Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners in Mississauga are very proud to be the visionary sponsor of The Mississauga Food Bank,” says Julie Granger, Tim Hortons regional marketing manager. “Mississauga Owners are committed to their support of the food bank and the important work they do to benefit so many individuals, children, and families living in the Mississauga community.”

Chris Hatch, executive director of The Mississauga Food Bank, says, “Having the Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners on board will give us reliable support to help expand and improve our programs. We’ll be able to give hungry people in Mississauga better access to more nutritious food.”

The community will see the Tim Hortons logo on the food bank’s trucks, and many Tim Hortons restaurants across the city will show their support for The Mississauga Food Bank on their electronic display boards and with window stickers. The annual sponsorship program was launched earlier this year and is designed to improve year-round funding reliability to the food bank. It also gives sponsors more flexibility to meet their philanthropic and marketing goals.

The Mississauga Food Bank is the central food bank in Mississauga, where 17% of the population lives below the poverty line. It supports 65,000 clients each month through food programs across the city, including neighbourhood food banks, hot meal programs and breakfast clubs. Individual donations and the generous support of corporate partners are vital to providing food for the thousands of people who rely on The Mississauga Food Bank each day.

For Information:
pamela@themississaugafoodbank.org
905.270.5589 x227

Thank you to the Nissan Canada Foundation for signing on as a Friend Sponsor of The Mississauga Food Bank for 2013! Their generous gift, and the volunteer hours their staff put in, will go far in helping us meet the needs of hungry people in the city. We’re so grateful to the Nissan Canada Foundation and its staff for their commitment to The Mississauga Food Bank.

Chris Hatch, Executive Director of The Mississauga Food Bank, says, “It’s great to see large companies like Nissan Canada supporting grassroots programs in our community. We’re thrilled to have their support.”

To learn more about our Annual Sponsorship Program, please contact meghan@themississaugafoodbank.org.

Chris Hatch, Executive Director of The Mississauga Food Bank, was presented with a Queen’s Diamond Jubliee medal last night by Mississauga-Streetsville MP Brad Butt.

The medals have been awarded to recognize the achievements of outstanding Canadians. Chris began his involvement with The Mississauga Food Bank as a regular volunteer, and quickly joined our Board of Directors in 2004, becoming Chair of the Board in less than a year.  From his initial presence at The Mississauga Food Bank, he completely changed our vision for the future.

Chris developed a detailed business plan outlining how to best serve our clients and donors.  He guided us on being more efficient and economical; put in place formalities of a ‘real’ business, including policies, procedures, by-laws and legal documents; and directed a re-branding of the organization, from Foodpath to The Mississauga Food Bank. Having seen Chris’ leadership and passion as the Board Chair, Chris was offered the role of Executive Director when it opened in 2008.

Since then, Chris’ vision of transitioning to a ‘hub and spoke’ model of service has become a reality.  The Mississauga Food Bank now sources and distributes food to over 110 programs throughout the city that serve 65,000 residents every month.

Chris continues to show unbelievable passion and drive to fight hunger and feed hope in Mississauga.

Congratulations, Chris!

There’s a week and a half remaining in our Spring Drive and so far we have collected an incredible 54,435 pounds of food! We need your help to reach our goal of 70,000 pounds by May 5.

Please keep us in mind when you’re out shopping and make a donation at your local grocery store or fire hall. You can also use your credit card to donate online, by telephone (905.270.5589) or mail: The Mississauga Food Bank, 36-2550 Goldenridge Road, Mississauga ON L4X 2S3.

Thank you to everyone who has supported us with donated time, food or money. We couldn’t do it without you!

Halfway through our 2013 Spring Drive, we have raised 36,499 lbs towards our 70,000 lb goal! Thanks to all of you who gave over Easter weekend, and those volunteers who came in to help sort food on April 6 – we appreciate your help!

Please continue to support the drive by donating food at your local grocery store or fire hall. The Spring drive will conclude on May 5th, and we hope to reach our goal of 70,000 lbs raised by then.

Our most needed food items are:

• Beans
• Canned fish/meat
• Canned fruit
• Canned vegetables
• Soup/stew
• Peanut Butter

Consider purchasing some extras of these items next time you are grocery shopping.

Square One Older Adult Centre, Peel Senior Link, and the City of Mississauga are presenting a free Seniors Information and Active Living Fair at Square One Older Adult Centre on:

Thursday, March 21st from Noon – 3:00pm
Friday, March 22nd from 10:00am – 1:00pm

Special thanks to the Unitarian Congregation Church for donating 64 cases of Kraft Dinner from their very creative food drive! The church hosted a play where the audience was asked to wave boxes of Kraft Dinner at the evil villain instead of booing. What a great idea!

Are you looking for creative fundraising ideas? Check out our website for suggestions by clicking here or here.