Food bank faces ‘tidal wave of demand’ as Holiday Drive begins in Mississauga

Faced with what they describe as an ongoing food insecurity “crisis” in Canada’s seventh-largest city, Food Banks Mississauga officials have set a lofty goal for their 2024 Holiday Drive.

The organization, which heads up a network of more than 60 community agencies to make it Mississauga’s largest food bank network, seeks to raise an “unprecedented” $2.5 million via its latest fundraising push.

FBM’s 2024 Holiday Drive, sponsored by Nissan Canada Foundation, kicked off on Tuesday and continues until Jan. 10. Last year’s holiday campaign raised $2,418,493, surpassing its $2 million goal by 21 per cent.

The latest drive comes yet again, officials say, at a crucial time as Food Banks Mississauga saw the fastest-growing food bank usage in all of Ontario last year. The organization continues to see a rapid increase on that front.

The charitable organization experienced another record-breaking year as it served more than 56,000 food bank visitors, including almost 16,000 children, from June 2023 to May 2024. That was up 58 per cent from the previous year, officials noted, adding they also recorded some 420,000 visits to food banks this past year, up by nearly 80 per cent.

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 one in 37 residents relied on a food bank in 2019 and now it’s one in 13.

“We are experiencing a tidal wave of demand with no sign of slowing down,” Food Banks Mississauga CEO Meghan Nicholls said in a news release on Tuesday. “One in 37 Mississauga residents relied on a food bank in 2019 and now it’s one in 13. As we head into the colder months, your neighbours in need are falling further behind and need your support. It’s a sobering thought to think about those who can’t spend the holidays around a meal with their families — but one that we can change together.”

Food bank officials say monetary donations to the cause are maximized as FBM can source fresh, frozen and shelf-stable nutritious food in bulk and at prices lower than retail while reaching those in need in all corners of Mississauga.

For every dollar donated, the organization can provide food for one meal to people in need.

“That means $90 can feed a child for an entire month,” officials said.

Food Banks Mississauga must keep its shelves stocked in order to respond to the fast-growing need in Mississauga. (Cover photo and this photo: Food Banks Mississauga)

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

Food Banks Mississauga’s latest annual Thanksgiving Drive, which concluded in late October, raised $844,892, topping its goal of $800,000.

That amount was an eight per cent increase over the fall 2023 effort, when $783,963 was collected, well off the organization’s $1 million goal.