100K residents will need food bank by 2027 in Mississauga; big donation from company will help

The number of Mississauga residents who rely on food banks is expected to climb to 100,000 in the next two or so years, nearly double the 56,000 people the city’s largest food bank network currently serves.

That’s the forecast from Food Banks Mississauga officials, who are in the midst of their latest fundraising drive to help the tens of thousands of people they serve put food on the table.

As the charitable organization seeks to meet its ambitious fundraising goal during the holidays, it has received a much-needed boost from a member of the city’s business community.

Faced with what they describe as an ongoing food insecurity “crisis” in Canada’s seventh-largest city, food bank officials have set a lofty goal for their 2024 Holiday Drive, which continues until Jan. 10.

The organization, which heads up a network of more than 60 community agencies, seeks to raise an “unprecedented” $2.5 million via its latest fundraising push.

To date, it has collected more than $2.15 million — 86 per cent of its goal — since the annual campaign was launched Nov. 12, food bank officials said in an update on Wednesday.

Nearing the final three weeks of its Holiday Drive, Food Banks Mississauga says a member of the city’s business community has jumped on board to help out.

From Dec. 23 to 31, all monetary gifts made to the food bank’s 2024 Holiday Drive will be matched by Mississauga-based real estate company Orlando Corporation, up to $150,000. Orlando describes itself as Canada’s largest privately-owned industrial real estate developer and landlord.

Food bank officials said the renewed support from the large Mississauga company comes at a critical time. With Mississauga recently declaring a food insecurity emergency, Food Banks Mississauga estimates more than 100,000 city residents will rely on a food bank by 2027 — almost double the current number of some 56,000 residents.

Food Banks Mississauga CEO Meghan Nicholls, shown here delivering a recent update to city councillors on the fast-growing need for food bank services in Mississauga, says the agency expects to nearly double the number of people it serves by 2027.

“We’re worried the increasing need will soon outpace our capacity. That’s why we’re truly grateful for Orlando Corporation stepping up to support their neighbours in need by matching community donations,” Food Banks Mississauga CEO Meghan Nicholls said in a news release on Wednesday. “If there is no significant change to current social support policy, by 2027 we expect double the number of people we’re currently serving at food banks — that’s over 100,000 of our neighbours. Every dollar raised, every gift you make is more vital than ever.”

FBM’s 2024 Holiday Drive, sponsored by Nissan Canada Foundation, comes yet again, officials say, at a crucial time as the agency saw the fastest-growing food bank usage in all of Ontario last year. The organization continues to see a rapid increase on that front.

Last year’s holiday campaign raised $2,418,493, surpassing its $2 million goal by 21 per cent.

In joining forces with the food bank’s 2024 Holiday Drive, Orlando Corporation president Blair Wolk said “it’s disheartening to hear about the food insecurity emergency in Mississauga.”

He added that partnering once again with the agency “was a natural choice and we’re proud to contribute in a way that will make a difference in our community. We believe everyone should have food on their table.”

Food Banks Mississauga moved into a new, much larger facility last year as it required considerably more space in which to store food needed for many Mississauga residents. (Photo: Food Banks Mississauga)

Food bank officials say monetary gifts enable them to source fresh and frozen food such as dairy, meat, grains, fruit and vegetables in bulk at lower prices than retail, and to transport and safely store donated food from across the supply chain.

Orlando Corporation is no stranger to giving back to the community in which its headquartered, and beyond. In early 2023, it announced it would match other donations from the community up to a total of $75 million in a multi-year campaign aimed at helping Trillium Health Partners provide the best possible health care for its patients.

THP operates Mississauga Hospital and Credit Valley Hospital in addition to the Queensway Health Centre in Etobicoke, on the Mississauga border.

Also, in fall 2022, Orlando Corporation donated $75 million to be split between the Scarborough Health Network and University of Toronto.

For more information on how to donate or other ways to help, visit www.foodbanksmississauga.ca/holiday. 

(Cover photo: Food Banks Mississauga)