Mississauga residents still love their cookies…and that is great news for Community Living Mississauga and Food Banks Mississauga! The two organizations will split the $175,886.60 which was raised at Tim Hortons locations throughout Mississauga during this year’s Smile Cookie Campaign, which ran from April 29th – May 5th.

Over the past 10 years, the Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign has donated more than $923,000 to unfunded programs at Community Living Mississauga. These programs focus on supporting children, youth and teens who have an intellectual disability to participate in community-based recreational activities, summer camps and volunteer opportunities.

“Community Living Mississauga is very fortunate to have such a longstanding relationship with Tim Hortons owners across our city,” said Keith Tansley, Executive Director at Community Living Mississauga. “We want to say thanks to them, as well as everyone who bought Smile Cookies, on behalf of the hundreds of children and youth who have an intellectual disability who have been able to connect with their community through our summer recreational programs thanks to the funds raised by this campaign.”

The recipient charities for local proceeds for the annual campaign were selected by the owners of the Tim Hortons restaurants and, once again this year, Food Banks Mississauga is also a recipient charity of the funds from the Smile Cookies sold in Mississauga.

“Thank you to Tim Hortons Restaurant Owners of Mississauga and our community for supporting neighbours in need through this year’s Smile Cookie campaign. The funds you raised will help provide healthy and appropriate food for 87,943 meals as we project that 8% of Mississauga’s population will rely on a food bank by the end of this month,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “We alongside our network of over 65 agency members across Mississauga continue to see a rising number of folks turn to us for food support and there is no end in sight. We will continue to be there for our neighbours today as we use our front-line knowledge and experience to advocate the government for policies and programs that will decrease food bank use for tomorrow. I encourage you to use your voice and join us.”

Across the country, Tim Hortons restaurant owners and millions of generous Tim Hortons guests helped to raise $18.8 million for local charities and community groups.