Mississauga – Today, Mississauga South MPP Charles Sousa delivered a truckload of turkeys to the Mississauga Food Bank, for distribution to families in need this holiday season.

The turkeys will be distributed to clients of the Mississauga Food Bank and the Compass Food Bank.

Today’s event was first set into motion earlier this month when Sousa wrote letters asking individuals to donate turkeys and challenging corporations to match or exceed his personal donation of 10 turkeys. As a result of these efforts, over 450 turkeys were delivered today along with donation cheques worth more than $15,000.

Money for the turkeys was raised as part of the ‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas food and fund raising campaign organized by Sousa, the Port Credit BIA and community organizers.

The campaign seeks not only to raise funds, but also toraise awareness of the challenges faced by Mississauga food banks, which have faced an increase in demand of over 20% since 2008.

Sousa and the Port Credit BIA also coordinated a food drive amongst local businesses which raised 2,500 lbs of food - enough to feed 100 families for a month.

To date, the campaign has raised over $40,000, including:
·$15,000+ (net) from a 500 person community dinner at the Oasis Convention Centre;
·$3000+ raised at events held at Roc N' Docs in Port Credit;
·$15,000+ raised through Sousa’s turkey drive; and
·$7,000 worth of food.

QUOTES

“The Compass is very grateful to Charles Sousa and his team for putting together this turkey drive. Thanks to them, many of our clients will now be able to celebrate Christmas with a traditional turkey dinner” said Andrew Briggs, Vice Chair of The Compass. “We are truly blessed to be part of such a caring community in south Mississauga.”

“The Mississauga Food Bank is honoured and thankful to be one of the recipients of the very successful holiday turkey drive initiated and led by MPP Charles Sousa and his staff” said Christopher Hatch, Executive Director of The Mississauga Food Bank. “Hundreds of our clients and their families can now look forward to a brighter Christmas holiday with a turkey dinner thanks to the generosity of MPP Sousa and the community.”

“I am so proud of our community, all of our volunteers and sponsors that they have come together for the needs of the less fortunate raising over $33,000 and some much needed food” said Dan Meadowcroft, community organizer.

"We are fortunate that so many have generously supported the Holiday Turkey Drive to help those in need." said Charles Sousa MPP, Mississauga South. "I am grateful for the outpouring of kindness and confident that this community effort will make a big difference for many families and children this Christmas."

“Many of our neighbours are in greater need this holiday season. We are fortunate, however, that so many have responded with such generosity” said Charles Sousa MPP, Mississauga South. “I am grateful for our community’s kindness and confident that these turkeys will make a big difference for many local families."

“The Port Credit BIA was honoured to take part in this important initiative” said Ellen Timms, General Manager, Port Credit BIA. “This demonstration of generosity from our community will mean that over 450 deserving families will have a turkey dinner this year. We can all be proud of that.”

QUICK FACTS

·The over 450 turkeys raised in the turkey drive will be distributed by the Mississauga Food Bank and the Compass food bank.
·The Mississauga Food Bank now feeds over 12,000 people per month – anincrease of over 20% from last year.
·‘Twas the Bite Before Christmas campaign sponsors include: Eurest Services,Sure Green Landscape, Lezanne Montgomery Floral Design, the Port Credit BIA, Westaire Air Conditioning & Heating Ltd., Frank Bailey Graphics, La Villa Bakery and Oasis Convention Centre.
·100% of money raised will go to benefit The Mississauga Food Bank and The Compass Food Bank