Food Banks Mississauga served over 56,000 neighbours in need of food from June 2023 – May 2024. This is a 58% increase from the previous year.
While we provide food support to folks across Mississauga through our network of over 60 agency members, the need for healthy and nutritious food from new and existing food bank clients reaches a critical high.
Michelle* is just one of many new food bank clients who are struggling with the rising cost of living and in need of nutritious food for themselves and their families.
“It’s the rent, the groceries, and everything goes up every time you look. So, when you really have something like this to help out, it takes a lot of pressure off. It really does.”
A former security guard, Michelle used to work full-time and was able to independently provide for her three girls. After a sudden health setback, she could no longer work and heavily relied on the Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) and Canada Child Benefits (CCB). These barely covered her living expenses.
“My rent is $1650. I get $1968 every month from ODSP. I have to wait until the 20th to get child tax. And the child tax is only $850. By the time I get $850, I’ve already borrowed $200 or $300 from someone else. When I get my pay, I have to give it away. And then we do it again next month.”
With inflation and the rising cost of food, rent, and other living expenses, Michelle couldn’t make ends meet and needed additional support. A quick postal code search led her to discover a nearby neighbourhood food bank in our agency network.
As a first-timer, Michelle felt the weight of the stigma that many of our neighbours in need feel. She described how isolating it was having all eyes on her while registering at the food bank and waiting for food, and explained how “embarrassing” it can feel to ask or rely on outside help. But she felt relieved after seeing how much this could help her girls and to her surprise, herself.
“I’m not going to be ashamed, because, at the end of the day, this is helping me feed my children. It’s helping me feed myself. The struggle is trying to make sure these kids are comfortable and healthy. That’s the hardest thing as a single mother.”
As shared in our last Annual Impact Report, over 6,000 food bank clients were single-parent households. The financial and emotional burden of being a single parent can be extremely overwhelming. Michelle said it’s been such a comfort to know she can now depend on the food bank for help.
“It let me know that I don’t have to always stay home and cry. At the end of the day, you want [your children] to see you be strong. I want them to know that I can provide for them whether I have to come to something like this because I’m just trying to make sure they eat, but now there’s somewhere that can make me eat also.”
Michelle is tremendously grateful to those who donate. Thanks to your support, she and her family have a place where they can find relief. While choking back tears, Michelle shared a message for all our generous donors:
“We really appreciate everything you’re doing for the families that need help. At the end of the day, it helps and it relieves a lot of pressure, especially for single parents. Working and feeding children is really, really hard. Thanks for thinking of us every month.”
*Name changed to protect privacy.
Provide food support to your neighbours through our network of 60+ agency members!
Your donations mean we can provide our agency members with more than just food and personal care items, but also support and funding to help them better serve your neighbours facing food insecurity. Donate today!
