Food Banks Mississauga has announced a 16% reduction in its paid workforce and the cancellation of two programs in an effort to sustain food distribution amid record-high demand for emergency food assistance.
With one in 13 Mississauga residents now relying on food banks and projections indicating 100,000 visitors annually by 2027, the organization says these difficult decisions were necessary to prevent a decrease in food distribution levels.
According to Feed Ontario, over one million people across the province accessed food banks in 2023-2024, with nearly 40% of surveyed food banks forced to reduce the amount of food provided.
Food Banks Mississauga CEO Meghan Nicholls acknowledged the painful but unavoidable decision to lay off staff, stating:
“We have been forced to make this difficult decision to preserve our resources to support food bank visitors. This is not the outcome we wanted, but it is the only path forward to maintain our level of service.”
Nicholls further emphasized that food banks are a temporary solution, highlighting the need for stronger social assistance programs to address long-term food insecurity.
As Ontario approaches a provincial election on February 27, Food Banks Mississauga is calling on voters to support candidates committed to tackling poverty and food insecurity. The organization urges residents to review party platforms and advocate for policies that provide sustainable solutions to the growing crisis.
For more information or to support Food Banks Mississauga, visit www.foodbanksmississauga.ca