Food Banks Mississauga’s Holiday Drive Exceeds Goal, Raising Over $2,400,000
As they project that 8% of Mississauga’s population will use food bank services by May 2024
Thanks to the support of the community, Food Banks Mississauga’s Holiday Drive raised $2,418,493 – exceeding its goal by 21%. The campaign, sponsored by the Nissan Canada Foundation, ran from November 13, 2023, to January 8, 2024. Orlando Corporation also came forward mid-way through the campaign and matched donations dollar for dollar, up to $150,000.
Hoya Vision Care Canada presenting a cheque for $10,000 to our CEO Meghan Nicholls and Corporate Partnerships Office, Sukaina Sumar-Ebrahim.
Exceeding the campaign goal with the support of generous community members may be a cause for celebration, but the evergrowing, urgent need for food that Food Banks Mississauga continues to see across the city is not. They are projecting that they will see 58,000 food bank users by the end of their fiscal year (May 2024), which is a 25% increase compared to their projections from just seven months ago.
“Thank you to each and every one of our community members who donated funds, food, time or their platforms – every action you take helps neighbours facing food insecurity in Mississauga. While I’m grateful for all that we have achieved together this Holiday Drive, the need for food is not slowing down. From June to December, we served 37,859 food bank users, which is almost a 40% increase from the same time last year,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “We used to have ‘busy’ seasons, but that is no longer the case, and every month, we redefine our version of ‘busy.’ As we look ahead and prepare for even more folks to turn to us and our network of over 60 agency members, I am grateful to supporters who stood by our side and continue to do so as we push forward together.”
In the month of December, Food Banks Mississauga and its network of 60+ agency members saw 16,071 food bank users – a 25% increase year over year. Every month is an increase from the prior year, and while the funds and food raised during the Holiday Drive will help to meet the immediate need, your neighbours living with food insecurity will need your support as 2024 progresses.
Two volunteers from Nissan Canada sorting food donations in Food Banks Mississauga’s warehouse.
Watch a special Holiday Drive thank you message from CEO Meghan Nicholls!
The 2023 Holiday Drive was proudly sponsored by the Nissan Canada Foundation. Special thank you to Orlando Corporation for joining the Holiday Drive as a match donor.
