Food Banks Mississauga Launches Holiday Drive with Unprecedented $3 Million Goal
As they mark one year since food insecurity emergency declaration
Food Banks Mississauga’s 2025 Holiday Drive launches today with an unprecedented goal of $3 million. The campaign runs until January 9, 2026, and comes at a crucial time as Food Banks Mississauga saw a record-breaking half a million visits last year.
This month also marks one year since the City of Mississauga officially declared food insecurity an emergency. Since the declaration, 1 in 4 Canadian households are now food insecure, and Food Banks Mississauga continues to experience a dramatic increase in demand, unlike anything they have experienced in their 39-year history.
Food Banks Mississauga’s 60+ food programs saw a total of over 503,000 visits last year – the most in the organization’s history and a 20% year-over-year increase.
“Hunger and poverty are worse than they have ever been in Mississauga, and our neighbours are struggling,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga.
“Life is much more expensive, and your neighbours are falling further behind and need your support. As we enter the cold winter months, I’m thinking about the 49,000 neighbours who rely on your generous support for food, and how 30% of those are children. It’s sobering to think about those who will spend the holidays deciding if they can afford to turn on the heat or buy food for their families. Everyone should be able to spend the holidays around a meal with their loved ones — and only you can help make that a reality for our neighbours. Help reach our biggest goal ever of $3 million to keep up with our city’s growing need.”
When you give money to the Holiday Drive, your donation goes further. Food Banks Mississauga uses the money to get donated or buy fresh, frozen, and shelf-stable food in large quantities at lower prices than in stores. This helps them reach people in need across Mississauga. Because of this, every dollar you donate provides food for one whole meal, so $100 can provide food for 100 meals.
Ways you can get involved:
- Make a monetary donation;
- Create a personalized fundraising page and rally your coworkers, community, school, and family to raise much-needed funds;
- Find volunteers at your local grocery store in the coming weeks, where you can donate funds or food.
The 2025 Holiday Drive runs until January 9, 2026.
