As the month of Ramadan is set to begin, Food Banks Mississauga launches its annual Ramadan Give 30 fundraising campaign with new partners: sponsor Islamic Relief Canada, monetary matching donor National Zakat Foundation, and leadership from Mayor Carolyn Parrish and Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi. The campaign will run until March 19, 2026.
The 30 Days of Giving: Ramadan Challenge encourages Muslims in Mississauga to fundraise with their family or mosque or give their Zakat to provide much-needed food to neighbours experiencing poverty. Participating groups will be invited to and recognized at an upcoming City Council meeting after the campaign.
“I am honoured to be supporting the 30 Days of Giving Challenge. Ramadan is an important time of the year for thousands of people in Mississauga. Their acts of giving will have an immediate impact on families facing food insecurity, and on children who are going hungry every day,” says Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish. “Just as Council did not hesitate to declare a food insecurity emergency, the city’s network of mosques and the families who attend have also been eager to make a difference. Happy Ramadan.”
“Our religion teaches us that in Ramadan, we should strive to show the best of ourselves to our fellow human beings, and one of the best ways to do it is to feed the hungry. Join us in making a difference in people’s lives and making sure that no one is hungry in our neighbourhoods. Thank you, Madam Mayor Carolyn Parrish, National Zakat Foundation, Islamic Relief Canada and Food Banks Mississauga. Ramadan Mubarak,” says Imam Dr. Hamid Slimi of Sayeda Khadija Centre.
The funds raised will feed food bank visitors across the city, like Muhammad*. He is a college student who works two part-time jobs to support himself and his mother, who can’t work due to disability. The only other income they have is the Ontario Disability Support Program that his mother receives. Despite trying his hardest while paying tuition and even downgrading their home to a cramped basement apartment, it wasn’t enough to make ends meet. But since Muhammad turned to one of Food Banks Mississauga’s Muslim faith-based food programs, he and his mom now receive 7+ days of food every single month, ensuring they stay healthy and can pay their rent.
“Muhammad’s story isn’t unique. With rising food costs stretching food bank visitors, we urgently need your support this Ramadan. Your donations provide healthy food, and critically, enable us to source more halal food, as 31% of all food bank visitors request halal options,” says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga. “As you observe this holy month, please remember your Mississauga neighbours in need. Too many, like Muhammad, are working multiple jobs but still struggling and are skipping meals so their children or elders can eat. Please donate this Ramadan to support the nearly 49,000 Mississauga residents who rely on us for food.”
“Through our work, we hear directly from community members about the daily realities of food insecurity and the difficult choices families face. As these challenges grow here at home, here in Canada, Islamic Relief Canada is proud to work alongside Food Banks Mississauga through the Give 30 Campaign to support our community, particularly during Ramadan – a time that reminds us of the importance of compassion and solidarity. Together, we are working to ensure all families facing hardship can access the food and dignity they deserve,” says Tufail Hussain, CEO of Islamic Relief Canada.
“Ramadan is a time of mercy and reminds us to care for the most vulnerable in our community. Together with Food Banks Mississauga, we’re making sure that the generosity of this month reaches families facing hunger across Mississauga. Through this collaboration, we’re strengthening a shared commitment to fight food insecurity and help the families who need it most, during Ramadan and beyond,” says Raheel Irfan, CEO of National Zakat Foundation.
Ways you can get involved:
- Make a monetary donation and double your impact.
- Set up automated daily gifts to maximize your impact this Ramadan.
- Join Mayor Parrish’s 30 Days of Giving: Ramadan Challenge by contacting our Community Partnerships Coordinator.
- Create a personalized fundraising page and rally your mosque, coworkers and community to raise much-needed funds.
The Ramadan Give 30 campaign is proudly sponsored by Islamic Relief Canada.
