Food Banks Mississauga Serves 1 in 13 Mississauga Residents As They Launch Their Thanksgiving Drive
An alarming 58% increase compared to last year
Food Banks Mississauga launches their 2024 Thanksgiving Drive as the need for food support in the city continues to reach historic highs. Last year, over 56,000 neighbours turned to the organization and their network of 60+ agency members for food support. This year’s Thanksgiving Drive, sponsored by Keurig Dr Pepper Canada, aims to raise $800,000 by October 21, 2024 – an ambitious yet vital goal to reflect the growing food insecurity crisis as the number of Mississauga residents living with food insecurity increased by 58%.
“Just a few years ago, we were serving 1 in 37 Mississauga residents. Now, we’re serving 1 in 13,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “The growing number of food bank visitors is a clear indication of the ongoing economic challenges facing many in our community and the lack of government action in improving social services. This fall, we’re bracing ourselves for a tidal wave of increased demand. As you prepare to gather around your Thanksgiving table and eat your family’s favourite foods, please think of your neighbours in need and donate to Food Banks Mississauga. You are all that stands between your neighbours and hunger.”
Thanksgiving is celebrated in various ways in our diverse community, but the meaning stays the same. As you prepare to gather around a full table and give thanks, please think of your neighbours living with food insecurity. For every $1 donated, Food Banks Mississauga can provide healthy and appropriate food for 1 meal to neighbours in need, thanks to the community’s support and Thanksgiving Drive sponsor, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada.
“We’re proud to renew our support to Food Banks Mississauga this Thanksgiving, ensuring that those in need have access to healthy food,” says Cynthia Shanks, Senior Director of Corporate Affairs at Keurig Dr Pepper Canada. “We believe that through our collective efforts, we can make a meaningful difference in our neighbourhoods, because no one should have to wonder where their next nutritious meal will come from.”
Ways you can get involved:
- Make a monetary donation;
- Create a personalized fundraising page and rally your community, coworkers, school, and family to raise much-needed funds;
- Find their volunteers at your local grocery store in the coming weeks, where you can donate funds or food.
“It will help [our kids] to have nutritious food. The fresh produce like tomatoes, other vegetables that we can feed them […]. We can create something out of that food that we get,” says Reyna*, a food bank visitor.
The Thanksgiving Drive runs until October 21, 2024.
The 2024 Thanksgiving Drive is proudly sponsored by Keurig Dr Pepper Canada.
*Name changed for privacy
