Food Banks Mississauga Restructures Amidst Growing Economic Pressures
No changes to food provision for Mississauga residents
Due to financial constraints and to ensure the long-term sustainability of the organization, Food Banks Mississauga has undergone restructuring, reducing their paid workforce by 16% and cancelling two programs. This is the only path forward that does not decrease the food available to food bank visitors who rely on Food Banks Mississauga and their network of 60+ programs. Food bank usage is at an all-time high with 1 in 13 Mississauga residents relying on a food bank because the cost of living is increasing, and government social supports are not keeping pace.
Despite the continued generosity of the community, the demand for emergency food has grown faster than the donations received. Food Banks Mississauga is not immune to economic pressures and rising costs mean the same dollars can’t stretch as far. Food Banks Mississauga is projecting that they will be serving 100,000 visitors by 2027 ﹣almost double the current number of over 56,000 residents. They are preparing for more people to turn to a food bank and needing more food than the sector can provide.
“We have been forced to make this painful but necessary decision to lay off staff and cancel programs to preserve our resources to support food bank visitors,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO at Food Banks Mississauga. “This is one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make as an organization, and unfortunately, it is the only path forward to maintain the same level of service we provide to our community. Food insecurity has been declared an emergency in Mississauga and as an organization whose mission is to provide healthy food, our vital work can never pause and we must prioritize feeding people for the long term. Food banks have been a bandaid solution for gaps in government social assistance programs for far too long and our restructuring is a direct result of this bandaid being stretched too far.”
Governments at all levels have neglected poverty and food insecurity which has amplified a systemic issue. Every year Food Banks Mississauga and food bank organizations across Canada are forced to increase their capacity because the government is not prioritizing appropriate investment in social assistance programs to support vulnerable folks and make it so they don’t have to rely on a food bank.
To ensure Food Banks Mississauga can provide food to neighbours who rely on them today, a donation of $84 will provide a family with a week of food from their monthly visit to a food program. To ensure Mississauga is a food-secure community for tomorrow, Food Banks Mississauga implores you to review the platforms of provincial parties and vote for representatives who pledge to address poverty and food insecurity.
To get involved and support Food Banks Mississauga, visit: foodbanksmississauga.ca/donate
