The Compass Food Bank
310 Lakeshore Road West L5H 1G8 Mississauga, ON, Canada

If you can spare it, we are looking for standard empty water bottles with the lids on. To save money, we package dish and laundry detergent in used plastic water bottles. While we don't encourage the use of bottled water, if you use it at home, or in your business, please consider putting the cap back on, and dropping them off for us. Money saved on the packaging means we have more money to buy food. They can be dropped off at the back of The Compass in the donation bin. Thank you!

POSTPONED: Dancing at-home-for The Compass. Due to safety concerns, and the recent stay-at-home order, it is with sadness that we must postpone Dancing at-home-for The Compass. Please read the Press Release attached for more information.

The Compass Food Bank and Outreach Centre serves anywhere from 800 to 1,100 clients per week, but to us, our clients are more than just a number. They are our friends and our neighbours. We would like to introduce you to some of the wonderful people we are privileged to serve and assist, so from time to time, we will share their stories here on Facebook. Today, we have the pleasure of introducing you to Diane Burgess, who is both a client and a popular volunteer at The Comp...ass. She has used the services at The Compass off and on for the past 10 years. Diane recently returned to The Compass when her husband, who works in the food services industry, was laid off due to COVID-19. Diane says she was nervous and embarrassed that she needed assistance again, but the staff and volunteers at The Compass immediately made her feel welcome. Diane has a 26-year-old son with special needs and a 19-year-old daughter who is in college studying social work so when she selects her groceries for the week, she usually focuses on getting things that they enjoy like cold cereal and oatmeal. Diane is very happy that The Compass offers milk and eggs as well as ground pork which she uses to make pasta with meat sauce. In addition to providing groceries, The Compass offers clients information and referral services to help overcome some of the challenges that come with living on a low income. Diane was thrilled when a volunteer at The Compass helped her access a program through LensCrafters which offers free or low-cost glasses. Diane, along with her husband and son all received glasses through this program. Diane currently volunteers five days a week at The Compass helping to repack bulk groceries like laundry soap, dish detergent, flour and instant coffee. No matter what job she is given, Diane is always laughing and smiling. I enjoy volunteering because The Compass has done so much for me, says Diane. I can’t donate, but I can give my time. Thank you, Diane, for sharing your story and for giving us the greatest gift, your time.

A thoughtful way to give back to your community and support local businesses! Thank you Sil's Auto Centre for your generosity and for always spreading it throughout the community. If you can support this initiative, please do!

Save the date for Dancing-at-home-for The Compass. This year we bring the beloved event straight to you in your home! On January 23rd from 7pm to 11pm EST, Little Peter and the Elegants will be playing your favourites from the 50s, 60s and 70s while raising money for The Compass. As the event is virtual and open to all, instead of tickets, we ask that you make a donation to The Compass through thecompass.ca/dancing. There will also be opportunities to donate during the live event! All information can be found at thecompass.ca/dancing, including the live stream link and online donation form.

’Twas the Bite Before Christmas is once again coming together to fight hunger, feed hope and empower those in need! Order meals for yourself and/or people in need, while also making a turkey drive donation. If you can support this amazing initiative, please do! Tickets can be purchased at - https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/turkey-dinner-bubble-bite-ticke More information is available in the post below.

An awesome idea by an awesome community member. Thanks, Christine for always supporting The Compass. Collect points and give back to the community - a win-win!

It is more important now than ever to support our local community! When shopping for Christmas gifts or looking to get a takeaway dinner, consider supporting businesses in Port Credit and our surrounding area.

Giving Tuesday is a day of global giving happening on Tuesday, December 1st, 2020. It is a day when everyone everywhere can do something to support the good causes that mean so much to us all. Thank you, Helen Filipe, for pledging to dedicate your time to The Compass on Giving Tuesday! On this Tuesday take some time to think of how you want to give back on December 1st. Whether it's being extra kind to someone, volunteering your time, or making a small donation to an organization that matters to you, give whatever you can! Thank you MississaugaGivess for encouraging #Saugagives in our wonderful city, and for highlighting amazing community members and organizations.

Spread the Joy with The Compass Food Bank and Outreach Centre this Christmas! From Monday (TODAY) November 9th, until Wednesday, December 2nd we will be accepting Christmas gift donations for ALL ages. Gifts can be dropped off 24/7 by using our contactless donation bin located behind The Compass (310 Lakeshore Road W.). You can also help us spread the joy virtually through our other easy donation options listed below. ... Canada Helps - Donate through Canada Helps and let us do the shopping for you! https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/54333 Amazon Wishlist - Our wish list makes it simple to donate a gift from the comfort of your own home! https://a.co/2eYIHCt Fundscrip - You're just a click away from a gift card donated to a client, and a percentage going back to us. Two in one! https://group.fundscrip.com//spread-the-virtual-joy-with-t If you have any questions or would like to organize a large donation drop-off please reach out to [email protected]

You can still purchase tickets to ’Twas the Bite Before Christmas who are once again coming together to fight hunger, feed hope and empower those in need! Order meals for yourself and/or people in need, while also making a turkey drive donation. If you can support this amazing initiative, please do! Tickets can be purchased at - https://www.eventbrite.ca/.../turkey-dinner-bubble-bite... More information is available in the post below.

Today is National Housing Day, and we are proud to share a photo of our future location (425 Lakeshore Road East) which will be within Indwell's Lakeshore Lofts. This space will ensure affordable housing and food security for many. The Compass is committed to advocating for affordable housing in south Mississauga, and we are glad to collaborate with Indwell on our mission. Safe and affordable housing for our most vulnerable neighbours is a win for everyone. Please keep the conversation going so we can continue to bring attention to affordable housing and find solutions! #NationalHousingDay

Spread the Joy with The Compass Food Bank and Outreach Centre this Christmas! We will be accepting Christmas gift donations for ALL AGES until Wednesday, December 2nd. Gifts can be dropped off 24/7 by using our secure contactless donation bin located behind The Compass (310 Lakeshore Road W.). If you have a larger donation please get in touch with [email protected] to organize a drop-off time. You can also help us spread the joy virtually through our other easy dona...tion options listed below. Canada Helps - Donate through Canada Helps and let us do the shopping for you! https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/54333 Amazon Wishlist - Our wish list makes it simple to donate a gift from the comfort of your own home! https://a.co/2eYIHCt Fundscrip - You're just a click away from a gift card donated to a client, and a percentage going back to us. Two in one! https://group.fundscrip.com//spread-the-virtual-joy-with-t Stay tuned for a gift guide coming soon, featuring gift ideas from Lakeshore businesses so we can support local and spread the Port Credit spirit. For more information visit thecompass.ca/christmas or email [email protected]

On this week’s Volunteer Spotlight, we will be featuring the lovely Cathy Easton (pictured on the right, with her daughter Emma on the left). Cathy has been involved with The Compass since 2017 when she saw how much The Compass does for the community and wanted to help. Cathy does more than just help; she makes an impact on our Compass community. When speaking of volunteering at The Compass, Cathy says "I’ve met so many wonderful people while being involved with The Compas...s, both volunteers and the community. At one event, I had dinner with a former client, and had the most interesting conversation ever. Their commitment and dedication shine through everything they do. Cathy wishes that more people knew That The Compass is really The Compass Foodbank and Outreach Centre. In addition to food, it also offers support groups and many other critical resources, like the Back to School Supply Drive. Also, that there is a huge need right in our neighbourhood. The Compass serves southwest Mississauga, south of the QEW to the lake, and borders Oakville on the west and Toronto on the east. All from an unassuming building in Port Credit. I drove by that location for years without knowing what it was, and what a valuable community resource it is. And, how much they do with so little; the Compass makes the best use of every dollar. Cathy played a critical role in the Walk the Walk for The Compass team and is now honoured to be the Project Manager for the Holiday project, putting the plan in place that will help meet our objective of having the community come together and spread the joy; helping every child have a toy under their tree. Our wonderful volunteers have a lot of moving pieces to manage to make this happen and the plan keeps everyone on track. When not helping with fundraising initiatives, Cathy can be seen volunteering with several other organizations. Cathy is the Treasurer of the Mississauga Symphony Orchestra, a director of the Richmond Hill Philharmonic Orchestra, President of the Whiteoaks Lorne Park Community Association, Vice-Chair of the Mississauga Residents’ Association Network, and a member of the Mississauga Festival Choir. Thank you, Cathy, for all that you do for The Compass and our Mississauga community! We are so lucky to have your support.