With a record number of residents struggling to secure enough food for their families, the Mississauga food bank network, Food Banks Mississauga (FBM), is set to host a pivotal mayoral byelection debate focused on the city’s growing food insecurity crisis. Scheduled for May 23 from 7-9 p.m., the event will feature mayoral candidates discussing their strategies to combat poverty, hunger, and other pressing local issues.
FBM, which coordinates over 65 agencies across Canada’s seventh-largest city, has seen an alarming increase in demand for its services. In March alone, a record 19,342 people utilized the food bank’s resources, marking a 20% rise from the previous year and the highest monthly usage ever recorded. This spike represents a continuation of a troubling trend, with figures from March 2023 showing a 61% increase from the year before.
Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga, highlighted the unprecedented demand: “The record-breaking demand we’re seeing month to month underscores the severity of the crisis we are facing.”
As part of their Spring Drive, which concluded recently on May 1, FBM aimed to raise $800,000 to support its expanding services, reflecting the urgent need for effective solutions from city leadership. The debate will provide a platform for the 20 candidates vying to replace former Mayor Bonnie Crombie, who resigned in January to lead the Ontario Liberal Party, to present their visions for addressing these critical challenges.
Among the prominent candidates are current city councillors Stephen Dasko, Alvin Tedjo, and Dipika Damerla, as well as former councillor Carolyn Parrish. The byelection, which will also elect a Ward 5 councillor, is set for June 10, marking a highly competitive race with the highest number of mayoral candidates in Mississauga’s history.