Some 43,000 residents used Food Banks Mississauga\u2019s vast network of agencies and food programs more than 513,000 times in the past year in what the organization says is a record number of visits in its 40-year history.<\/p>\n
As Food Banks Mississauga begins its annual Thanksgiving Drive, which was launched on Monday, its recently released Annual Impact Report shows the number of food bank visits in Canada\u2019s seventh-largest city remains 650 per cent higher than 10 years ago and is now the \u201cnew normal.\u201d<\/p>\n
Prior to the latest record-breaking number, nearly 49,000 people in need made more than 503,000 visits<\/a> to FBM\u2019s network the previous year, which marked a 20 per cent rise from the 12-month period before that.<\/p>\n Food Banks Mississauga\u2019s 2026 Thanksgiving Drive, which runs until Oct. 16, aims to raise $900,000.<\/p>\n Food bank officials say that \u201cambitious goal reflects the prolonged food insecurity emergency in Mississauga, as the organization reports experiencing over half a million visits for the second year in a row.\u201d<\/p>\n Food Banks Mississauga CEO Meghan Nicholls said she hopes the city, as it usually does, thinks about those in need.<\/p>\n \u201cThanksgiving is meant to be a time of abundance, centred around food. As we prepare to gather with our loved ones, tables overflowing with food, we can\u2019t forget about our neighbours who won\u2019t be able to do the same,\u201d Nicholls said in a news release on Thursday. \u201cSomeone walks through the doors of one of our food programs every 22 seconds they are open. This year marks our 40th anniversary. Food banks began as temporary \u2019emergency rooms\u2019 and have now become necessary \u2018family doctors\u2019 due to a lack of systemic support.<\/p>\n \u201cAs our provincial and federal governments prioritize cross-border economic concerns, we can\u2019t lose sight of those in our own community who are most at risk,\u201d she continued. \u201cPlease think of your neighbours in need and donate to Food Banks Mississauga this Thanksgiving.\u201d<\/p>\n Once again, the Thanksgiving Drive is sponsored by Keurig Dr Pepper Canada, FBM says.<\/p>\n Cynthia Shanks, the company\u2019s vice-president of corporate communications, said \u201cwe believe that through our collective efforts, we can make a meaningful difference in our neighbourhoods, because no one should have to wonder where their next nutritious meal will come from.\u201d<\/p>\n Food Banks Mississauga\u2019s 2025 Thanksgiving Drive raised $883,560 to exceed its $800,000 goal.<\/p>\n For more information about this year\u2019s drive, visit the organization\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n (Cover photo: Food Banks Mississauga)<\/p>\n