In April 2007 Ontario Inter-Cultural Community Services (OICS) board and community volunteers took the initiative to establish a facility in Mississauga East, Malton that could provide practical socio economic development and integration services to newcomers and various other community groups in need. Mississauga East, Malton was deemed as high need based and at risk community due to low income residents with underserved  limited social services agencies; furthermore there was no other food bank community kitchen project functioning in the area. In order to address community needs the OICS board and members also decided to open the first Mississauga community kitchen and food bank that will also house counselling, information and referral services. In other words this facility will play as a natural social activity hub for community in need.

MISSISSAUGA EAST MALTON FOOD BANK
The main purpose of food bank is to provide assistance to people who are in an emergency situation due to unforeseen circumstances, such as newcomers to Canada with no/limited income, refugees, layoffs, sudden disabilities, unexpected bills, broken sponsorships, domestic violence or any other venerable situation. OICS food bank first opened its doors on June 2, 2008 as a member agency of (Mississauga food bank network) and an outlet of The Misssissauga Food Bank, with an assistance of Ontario Food bank Association (OFBA).

OICS Food Bank is a non-denominational, non-religious non-profit project working to eliminate hunger through food distribution to qualified individuals and families living in selected areas of Mississauga and Malton. At present we are serving from our food bank located at 6915 Dixie Road, Mississauga to postal codes such as; L4V, L5S, L4T, L5T, L5P.

We make all efforts to provide healthy, balanced food choices and to the extent possible based on constraints of product availability, provide choices that meet various cultural and dietary requirements. We also strive to provide basic need items, like personal care and hygiene products. OICS Food Bank helps to provide emergency food supplies to vulnerable families in our community. Upon registration we have a capacity to serve more than 500 eligible families to take food bank supply.

Client’s information
You may use the services of the Food Bank once a month to receive seven days of nutritionally balanced meals, depending on the supplies available. Your allowance of food is based on family size and income eligibility. You can pick up food for a baby (up to 18 months), once every 2 weeks.

Clients in an extreme emergency situation may be able to obtain twice a month for a short period of time.

Hours of Operation

The Food Bank is open for you to pick up food:

We provide emergency food assistance to residents of Mississauga who live in the postal codes of;
 L4V, L5S, L4T, L5T, L5P as shown in the map below:

How To Find Us
We are located at 7060 Airport Road , Mississauga L4T 2G8.

Things to bring with you
First time users of the Food Bank need to bring with them:
• Proof of address (driver’s license etc.)
• Proof of your total monthly family income
• Proof of your rental and utility costs (lease agreement, cancelled cheque, passbook etc.)
• Health cards for each family member

Bring Your Own Bags
	We must all do our part in improving our environment. We ask our clients to please bring reusable, environmentally friendly grocery bags with them, in an effort to reduce plastic bag consumption.

Guidelines for Clients
• If you have been to the food bank before, please remember to bring your Food Bank registration card with you.
• If, for any reason, someone else has to pick up your food, please be sure that person has both your registration card and a letter signed by you.
• If at any time you are out of food and you have already had your monthly pick-up, please come in and speak to one of our coordinators. They will try to give you an emergency supply, if food is available.

Your support and donations are very much appreciated!

Financial Donations
We rely on monetary donations to buy food when we run out of items. Through our contacts with food suppliers, we can usually purchase food at a lower price than an individual who buys food at a retail store.

Donate On-line
You can donate on-line through canadahelp.org by clicking the following link:
All information entered is strictly confidential, and secure. CanadaHelps.org provides all of its services to donors and charities free of charge. Within minutes of making a donation, you will receive an electronic tax receipt mailed to the email address you provided in the donation process. You can save and print this receipt at any time to use for income tax purposes.

Cash or Cheque
We are a charitable corporation and people donating $10 or more will receive a tax receipt. Please make your donation payable to "OICS Food Bank". You can either drop your donation off at the OICS Food Bank:

OICS Food Bank
6915 Dixie Road, Unit # 4
Mississauga, ON  L5T 2G2

Or
Mail your donations

26, Blue Whale Blvd
Brampton, ON, L6R 2R5

Special Gifts: If you are interested in making a food/cash donation to the OICS Food Bank in lieu of a birthday gift or to make a special occasion or in memoriam, we would be pleased to send a card to the recipient to recognize your gift.

Food Donations
Most of our donations are in the form of food. We rely heavily on food donations to provide nutritionally balanced meals to our clients. When you are shopping for yourself, consider purchasing an extra bag to help someone in need. Current items needed will be listed on the home page of our website. Monday to Friday from 10am to 8pm. You will see the drop-off hampers as soon as you enter the facility. If you need assistance, please phone or e-mail us in advance.

Volunteer your Time & Talent
Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. Volunteers are involved in every aspect of our organization from food distribution, organizing food drives, fund raising, answering phones, and thanking our donors. There's lots of fun and comradely to be had while donating your time and energy in a charity that is truly helping to make a difference. You can work on an activity yourself, or involve the whole family.

We do have positions for students to complete their community service hours, and we do provide supervision and direction to young offenders in a working partnership with the Elizabeth Fry Society and Associated Youth Services of Peel.

Where are volunteers most needed? There is a volunteer job available for just about anyone who would like to help. All you have to do is pick an area of interest. If you can volunteer some time, please contact us.

(to pick up donations from farmers market venders and sorting at food bank/ community kitchen).
For other times call for available shifts

We need helpers for:

• Strong people to carry food into and help clients carry groceries out of the Food Bank
• Serving clients
• Sorting and Packing food (repackage into smaller quantities)
• Drivers: to pick up food from local businesses who have donated food
• Telephone Reception: these volunteers are often the first contact people have with the Food Bank.
• Office staff: help answer phones writing thank you notes etc.
• Computer desk - entering client data and food collection activity into the computer
• Coordinators: to direct volunteers who are sorting and packing food.
• Food shoppers
• Advocates: to help clients with advice & information that might reduce their reliance on the food bank.
• We need extra help at peak times: Christmas, & during the spring (Easter) and fall (Thanksgiving) food drives.
• General maintenance and cleaning

Fund-raising:

• Volunteers to obtain "donations in kind". (Used equipment, donations of food etc.).
• Writing letters: Volunteers need access to a computer with Windows and have the ability to write different types of letters to different types of organizations requesting their participation or a donation.
• Seeking donations: This can be monetary, prizes for special events or services such as photocopying.

Business/School/Youth Groups:

• Run a food drive. You can select a theme. E.g. Bring any type of item appropriate for babies. (Formula, baby food, baby cereal, diapers etc.)
• Sponsor the Food Bank at your next fund-raiser. Charge admittance to a sports activity; play you are holding or other special event, have a bake sale or a "garage sale" and donate some of your proceeds.