The Mississauga Food Bank Spring Drive Results: Goal reached in funds raised, but not in food

Mississauga, ON May 14, 2012 – After the completion of The Mississauga Food Bank’s Spring Drive on April 30, the Greater Toronto Apartment Association Spring HOPE drive, and Hunger Awareness Week, The Mississauga Food Bank is pleased to report the following totals:

Towards the 75,000 pound food goal, 69,052 lbs were raised, 18,017 lbs of which came from the over 80 apartment buildings in Mississauga who ran food drives on April 24^th. The goal of raising $25,000 was exceeded with Mississauga residents donating $29,482 to help feed their hungry neighbours.

“We are so grateful to the Mississauga community for their incredible donations this Spring,” said Meghan Nicholls, director of marketing and fund development. “That $29,000 will enable us to provide 117,928 meals to our hungry neighbours this spring and summer. Thanks especially to the kids who donated their pennies.”

Food bank staff were especially amazed by the amount of donations received in coins, specifically pennies. Over $2,550 were raised in coins, more than $1,300 of which was pennies alone! That’s over 130,000 pennies that were sorted and rolled by staff and volunteers.

This all comes at a time when The Mississauga Food Bank does its annual survey to assess how many people are using emergency food services in Mississauga. The most recent statistics show that 65,000 people receive emergency food support from The Mississauga Food Bank each month, an increase from last year’s 38,000.

While the Spring Drive has now ended, readers can still make a difference by donating online at www.themississaugafoodbank.org or by calling 905-270-5589. Cheques can be mailed to The Mississauga Food Bank at 36-2550 Goldenridge Rd Mississauga ON L4X 2S3. Food donations can be dropped off at all Mississauga fire stations year-round.

For more information on running food drives year-round, visit www.mississaugafooddrive.org or contact Meghan Nicholls at 905.270.5589 x226 or meghan@themississaugafoodbank.org.