The Mississauga Food Bank sets sights on $1.5 million and 300,000 pounds of food for holiday drive

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Published November 16, 2021 at 9:17 am

On the heels of a record-setting Thanksgiving Food Drive, The Mississauga Food Bank launched its annual holiday season campaign yesterday.  

The organization’s 2021 Holiday Food Drive continues until Jan. 7 with a goal to raise $1.5 million and 300,000 pounds of food.  

“The need for food never stops, and that’s why we are asking for our community’s help again this holiday season,” said food bank CEO Meghan Nicholls. “As you come together with your loved ones to share a festive meal, take a moment to think of those who can’t do so. Your help will ensure that hungry neighbours who struggle to put food on the table, let alone presents under a tree, can continue to access healthy and appropriate food these coming months and into the new year.” 

The Mississauga Food Bank, which with a network of more than 50 agencies is the city’s central food bank, has already distributed some 912,700 pounds of food this fall, up 25 per cent from the same time last year.  

“That’s food for over 981,400 meals that has been distributed to over 11,800 food bank users across Mississauga,” the organization says.  

The food bank’s new Community Market program launched in September has provided more than 40,000 pounds of fresh fruit and vegetables to some 2,000 households. 

With the community’s support, the food bank says, it can continue to provide such vital services. 

Food bank officials say the public can help out in several ways as the holidays approach. Beyond donations of money and food, people can volunteer their time to lend a hand.  

And it’s not only the city’s large businesses and organizations that hold food drives, officials say. 

“You can gather your friends, family or co-workers to host a fundraiser or food drive in your community,” the organization says. “Every donation will help feed hungry children, seniors, families and neighbours across your city.” 

As an especially festive and fun way to get involved, the food bank encourages people to participate in its 12 Days of Giving event.  

From Dec. 1-12, people are asked to collect the 12 food and household items most in need, put them in a box, decorate the unsealed box complete with a personal holiday message and deliver it to The Mississauga Food Bank on Sat. Dec. 18, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. That’s the day of the food bank’s Holiday Contactless Drive-Thru Food Drive.  

This past Thanksgiving, Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s annual food drive collected more than $656,000 and 370,000 pounds of food in a record-setting campaign.  

The Mississauga Food Bank distributes food for almost five million meals each year to vulnerable children, seniors and others. 

Tens of thousands of people use the food bank each year. This past year, more than 25,800 people in Mississauga visited a food bank, some 6,800 of them for the first time.    

For more information, visit the food bank’s website 

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