Food Banks Mississauga launches its 2026 Thanksgiving Drive, sponsored by Keurig Dr Pepper Canada, which aims to raise $900,000 by October 16, 2026. This ambitious goal reflects the prolonged food insecurity emergency in Mississauga, as the organization reports experiencing over half a million visits for the second year in a row.
In its newly released Annual Impact Report, over 43,000 neighbours in need made over 513,000 visits to the organization and its citywide network of 60+ food programs – the most visits ever in the organization’s 40-year history. This record number of food bank visits remains 650% higher than just 10 years ago and is now the “new normal”.
“Thanksgiving is meant to be a time of abundance, centred around food. As we prepare to gather with our loved ones, tables overflowing with food, we can’t forget about our neighbours who won’t be able to do the same. Someone walks through the doors of one of our food programs every 22 seconds they are open,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga.
“This year marks our 40th anniversary. Food banks began as temporary “emergency rooms” and have now become necessary “family doctors” due to a lack of systemic support. As our provincial and federal governments prioritize cross-border economic concerns, we can’t lose sight of those in our own community who are most at risk. Please think of your neighbours in need and donate to Food Banks Mississauga this Thanksgiving.”
“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, Vice President of Corporate Communications 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.”
For every $1 donated, Food Banks Mississauga can provide over $4 worth of food through its citywide network of food programs. As a result of bulk purchasing power and large-scale food rescue, a gift of $100 will provide over $400 worth of food, when joined with the community’s support and Thanksgiving Drive sponsor, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada.
Ways you can get involved:
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Make a monetary donation
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Create a personalized fundraising page and rally your community, coworkers, school, and family to raise much-needed funds
The Thanksgiving Drive runs until October 16, 2026 and is proudly sponsored by Keurig Dr Pepper Canada.
