Food Banks Mississauga seeing 82% more food bank users compared to pre-pandemic
As they release latest Annual Impact Report
Food Banks Mississauga releases its annual Impact Report as it continues to serve record-breaking numbers of food bank users across its agency network. The report shares how more of Mississauga’s residents are facing food insecurity, with 5% of the city’s population now using a food bank. In the report, you will hear from food bank users, learn more about who is turning to a food bank, and see the impact of the community’s support in numbers.
During their last fiscal year (June 2022 – May 2023), Food Banks Mississauga and its network of 60+ agency members provided healthy and appropriate food to 35,538 neighbours in need, an 18% increase year over year, with half being first-time food bank users. The number of first-time food bank users is more than double the previous year, which indicates that more folks are facing food insecurity for the first time.
“We are hearing from food bank users who used to be donors, and now they’re on the other side of it, needing food. They didn’t expect to be in this position, but that is the reality they are facing,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “This year, 12% of food bank users were Ukrainian as our city opened its doors and welcomed newcomers from Ukraine. Your support ensured we could meet this new urgent need with agility and innovation. But the need is skyrocketing for folks across all backgrounds, and there is no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. This is why we continue to depend on the support of our community as we head into colder months.”
The number of children Food Banks Mississauga and its network of 60+ agency members saw has also increased, with over 11,000 children needing food, a 10% increase from the prior year. Across its network, Food Banks Mississauga provided over 5.9 million pounds of healthy and appropriate food – that’s food for almost 6 million meals for neighbours in need, a 13% increase from the year prior.
The report also details how the community’s support fuelled the unique programs that Food Banks Mississauga operates to reach neighbours where they need support the most – from homebound neighbours served through the Food Bank 2 Home Delivery Program to those in high-priority neighbourhoods who were able to receive fresh food through the Pop-Up Food Bank Community Market.
Read the full annual Impact Report today!
