Food Banks Mississauga Launches Spring Drive As They Project They Will Serve 8% of Mississauga’s Population by May
A 205% increase compared to pre-pandemic
Food Banks Mississauga launches its 2024 Spring Drive as they face staggering demand across the city. The campaign runs from March 8 to April 30, 2024, with the goal to raise $800,000. Scotts Canada Ltd. is the returning sponsor for the Spring Drive and will be matching donations, dollar for dollar.
Food Banks Mississauga is projecting that 8% of Mississauga’s population will visit a food bank by the end of May 2024. This represents 58,000 residents who are living with food insecurity. Since June 2023, Food Banks Mississauga and its network of 65+ agency members have seen, on average, 45% more food bank users than last year. Food insecurity is worsening as government funding for social assistance programs is not meeting the needs of those living close to or below the poverty line.
“We are facing a challenging time, and we will continue to struggle until our governments prioritize improvements to social services to support neighbours living precariously. Each month, we are forced to increase our capacity to meet the ever-growing demand, and we are sourcing and sending out more food compared to the same time last year. By the end of May, we are projecting that we will provide food for 8 million meals, which is a 33% increase compared to last year,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “We are grateful to you, our community of supporters, for stepping up this spring to help your neighbours. Until our elected officials stop ignoring the needs of those living in poverty, we will continue to see more folks turn to us for food. You are the reason Food Banks Mississauga can keep up with demand, and I ask that you join the Spring Drive to help raise $800,000 and ensure healthy food reaches neighbours in all corners of the city.”
Monetary donations will be matched by Scotts Canada Ltd. to double the impact of each gift. For every dollar donated, Food Banks Mississauga can provide healthy and appropriate food for two meals to neighbours in need.
“Scotts products are primarily used to grow plants, improve soil and maintain green spaces, our partnership with food banks is a natural extension of our corporate mission. Supporting the food supply is part of our DNA at Scotts!” mentions Geneviève Potvin, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Stakeholder Relations at Scotts Canada Ltd. “We would like to underline the incredible work carried out by the Food Banks Mississauga team, and it is with gratitude that we come to support their important mission.”
Get involved today by giving a monetary donation. You can also create a personalized online fundraising page and rally your community, coworkers, school and family to donate or organize fundraisers. Plus, keep an eye out for volunteers collecting donations at your local grocery store on March 16, 23, and 30.
The 2024 Spring Drive runs until April 30, 2024.
The 2024 Spring Drive is proudly sponsored and matched by Scotts Canada Ltd.
