Food Banks Mississauga has launched its Thanksgiving drive as food bank usage climbs in the city beyond what the organization says was a record-breaking year for visits from people in need.

Almost 49,000 people in need made more than 503,000 visits to the organization and its network of food programs last year — the most visits ever in the organization's history, says Meghan Nicholls, CEO of Food Banks Mississauga.

"People who access food support, they are needing it more frequently, they're relying on it longer and it's taking them a longer time to get back on their feet," she said.

Last year, Mississauga city council officially declared food insecurity an emergency, an issue the city's mayor says still stands.

"We had the fastest-growing rate of food bank users in the province — and

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