Mississauga Tim Hortons shops sell Smile cookies to help feed people in need
Published September 21, 2022 at 2:03 pm
Tim Hortons coffee shops across Mississauga are once again selling their much-anticipated Smile cookies, and two city charities are the beneficiaries.
The annual Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign continues this week through Sept. 25, with The Mississauga Food Bank and Community Living Mississauga once again the local recipients of funds raised.
Last year, $135,912.70 was raised at Tim Hortons locations across Mississauga for the two charitable groups.
Mayor Bonnie Crombie joined The Mississauga Food Bank at a local Tim Hortons restaurant to kick off the 2022 Smile Cookie Campaign.
“The work The Mississauga Food Bank is doing is even more critical with inflation and the rising costs of living continuing to impact the most vulnerable in our community,” said Crombie. “It’s inspiring to see local businesses and residents come together again this year to support the work that the food bank does. With each purchase made during Smile Cookie week, we can all contribute and help those facing food insecurity in our community while paying a visit to our neighbourhood Tim Hortons.”
Last year, the Smile Cookie Campaign raised a record $12 million across Canada, the money going to local charities, hospitals and community groups that provide crucial services for their communities, said Shahid Latif, general manager at a Mississauga Tim Hortons.
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“Parts of our community continue to face food insecurity, and we are excited and proud to partner with The Mississauga Food Bank and Community Living Mississauga to help give back to those in need,” Latif added.
In its last fiscal year (June 2021 to May 2022), The Mississauga Food Bank continued to see the need in the city rise with a 50 per cent increase in food bank visits compared to the previous year.
More than 30,000 residents made some 243,000 visits to a food bank in Mississauga, and almost 7,300 of them were first-time food bank users.
Support from Tim Hortons and other partners is crucial in helping address the growing need, food bank officials say.
“Food insecurity is still a reality for many in our community. Forty-five per cent of Mississauga residents who live below the poverty line accessed support from The Mississauga Food Bank network last year, which is almost double what we saw the year prior,” said food bank CEO Meghan Nicholls. “The funds raised from this year’s Smile Cookie Campaign will help provide fresh and nutritious food to neighbours in need.”
Smile Cookies are available at participating restaurants until Sunday (Sept. 25). Each cookie costs $1 (plus tax), and 100 per cent of proceeds go to The Mississauga Food Bank and Community Living Mississauga.
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