Mississauga mayor’s food drive collects record-setting $656,000 and 370,000 pounds of food

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Published October 27, 2021 at 10:53 am

Food Banks Mississauga Thanksgiving Drive 2023
Food Banks Mississauga officials say the need in Mississauga and beyond is greater than ever.

A record-shattering $656,000 and 370,000 pounds of food were collected through Mayor Bonnie Crombie’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, Mississauga City Council was told this morning. 

Meghan Nicholls, CEO of The Mississauga Food Bank, told councillors that the exact figures of $656,157 and 370,596 pounds of food far exceeded an admittedly conservative goal of $400,000 and 200,000 pounds. 

“Mississauga proved once again that it’ll support the community no matter what. This is, by far, a record,” said Nicholls, noting the money and food collected will provide 1.9 million meals for those in need. “Mississaugans organized drives and fundraisers…competed in corporate challenges…volunteered at our food warehouse, and opened their hearts to donate.” 

Crombie, who started the annual campaign in 2015, said she’s heartened to see so many people and businesses across the city donated during tough financial times brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Mississauga Food Bank, which for every dollar received can provide nutritious and appropriate food for two meals for a hungry person, makes “a real difference” in the city, she added. 

“There’s no doubt in my mind we are the most compassionate and generous city in Canada,” Crombie said, adding she wasn’t sure the food drive would meet its goals. “In the face of adversity, so many stepped up to donate (and help in other ways).” 

Since its launch in 2015, the mayor’s annual Thanksgiving Food Drive has raised $2.5 million and 1.87 million pounds of food. 

The Mississauga Food Bank is the central food bank in the city. Through its network of more than 50 agencies, it 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.   

“The need in our community has never been greater,” Crombie said earlier, noting the pandemic has made things even more difficult for people living pay cheque to pay cheque. 

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