The Mississauga Food Bank is partnering with Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners of Mississauga as a joint recipient of the annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign taking place September 13 – September 19, 2021. This is the first time that The Mississauga Food Bank has been selected as a charitable partner for the Smile Cookie Campaign, sharing funds raised with returning beneficiary, Community Living Mississauga.
“Last year the Smile Cookie Campaign nationally raised nearly 11 million dollars going to local charities, hospitals, and community groups across Canada that provide crucial services for their communities,” said Elias Diab, Tim Hortons General Manager of Store #247. “We recognize that addressing food security is critical during these difficult times and we are excited and proud to partner with The Mississauga Food Bank and Community Living Mississauga to help give back in our community.”
The Mississauga Food Bank continues to see an increased demand for food despite more of the city opening up each day. From June 2020 to May 2021, food for over 4.6 million meals was distributed (a 58% increase from the year prior) to more than 25,800 food bank users in Mississauga – over 6,800 who were first-time food bank users. As we head into recovery from the pandemic and adjust to this new normal, The Mississauga Food Bank will continue to support neighbours in need alongside partners like Tim Hortons. Funds raised during this year’s Smile Cookie campaign will ensure that there is healthy and appropriate food for hungry children, families, seniors, and other neighbours across Mississauga.
“We have worked with the Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners of Mississauga for many years on our annual Thanksgiving campaign, and I’m excited to grow our partnership to make an even bigger impact during a time where food insecurity is a reality for many in our community,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO. “The effects of the pandemic continue to impact our vulnerable neighbours the hardest – and will for years to come. To be a recipient of this campaign will make an incredible impact in our community, and allow us to continue to put fresh and appropriate food on the table for our hungry neighbours.”
“We can’t express enough thanks to everyone at Tim Hortons as well as everyone who buys Smile Cookies,” said Keith Tansley, Executive Director at Community Living Mississauga. “For the second year in a row, almost all of our fundraising events have been cancelled due to COVID-19, so our unfunded programs will be relying heavily on the funds raised by the Smile Cookie campaign.”
Smile Cookies are available for pre-order now, and you can download the order form on our website at www.themississaugafoodbank.org/smile-cookie.
Smile Cookies will be available for purchase in participating restaurants from September 13 – 19, 2021. Each cookie costs $1 (plus tax) and 100% of proceeds raised in our community will go to supporting The Mississauga Food Bank and Community Living Mississauga.
Left: Donny the Donation Bag mascot standing inside a Tim Hortons restaurant with Meghan Nicholls, CEO at The Mississauga Food Bank, and Maroun Diab, Owner, and Elias Diab, General Manager, of Tim Hortons Store #247.
Right: Donny the Donation Bag mascot standing inside a Tim Hortons restaurant with Meghan Nicholls, CEO at The Mississauga Food Bank.
