By The Compass. June 03, 2026.
This June, all donations made to the Send A Kid To Camp campaign will be matched up to $50,000. For families facing food insecurity, summer can bring added stress, childcare challenges, and difficult financial choices. Your donation helps provide children with a safe place to go, meaningful activities, friendship, and the chance to simply be kids.
Right now, every dollar donated between June 1 and June 30 to the Send A Kid To Camp campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 by an incredibly generous anonymous donor to help send Compass children to summer camp.
That means your impact immediately doubles.
A gift of $50 becomes $100.
A gift of $100 becomes $200.
For many of us, summer camp brings back memories of swimming lessons, camp songs, making friends, learning new skills, and simply being a kid.
But for many families walking through the doors of The Compass Food Bank & Outreach Centre, summer brings something very different:
Stress.
Fear.
Sleepless nights.
Impossible choices.
Imagine being a parent working one or even two jobs and still barely managing to keep your head above water. Rent has increased. Groceries cost more every month. Utilities, transportation, school expenses, and basic necessities continue to climb.
You work hard every day, yet somehow there is still not enough.
You come to a food bank because you have no other choice. Not because you want to, but because your children need to eat.
Now school is ending.
And suddenly another question keeps you awake at night:
Summer camp is something many families take for granted. But for parents already struggling to afford food and rent, camp fees can feel completely impossible.
Who watches the children while you are working?
Who keeps them safe?
Who makes sure they are eating?
Who keeps them engaged, active, and cared for?
What happens when you simply do not have an answer?
For families facing food insecurity, summer is not just a break from school. It can be a season of added pressure. Children are home more often. Grocery needs may increase. Parents still need to work. Safe, structured care can be expensive.
Now imagine being a single father with four children.
Three years ago, he lost his wife to cancer.
Then life dealt him another devastating blow: he suffered a stroke.
Every day he wakes up carrying grief, exhaustion, and the enormous responsibility of raising four young children on his own.
He does everything he can.
He stretches every dollar.
He visits a food bank because he has no choice.
But food support alone cannot solve what summer brings.
His children need care.
They need structure.
They need somewhere safe to go.
And perhaps more than anything, they need moments where they can simply be children again.
At The Compass, we have worked hard with community partners to source discounted camp opportunities so children can attend programs based on what they love. A child who loves cooking can attend cooking camp. A child passionate about sports can attend sports camp. Others can discover art, music, friendship, and experiences that build confidence and create lifelong memories.
Because every child deserves more than simply getting through summer.
They deserve a summer.
Your donation does not simply help send a child to camp.
It gives parents relief.
It gives a child belonging.
It gives a family hope.
It gives children a safe place to learn, play, and feel included.
Most importantly, right now your gift goes twice as far.
When you donate funds to The Compass during this campaign, your gift helps local children in south Mississauga access summer camp opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach. It is a practical way to support families who are already facing the pressure of food insecurity, rising costs, and limited childcare options.
No parent should have to choose between paying rent and giving their child a summer memory.
No child should spend summer feeling forgotten.
If you would like to make a donation, now is the time.
Every matched gift helps The Compass support more children and families. A one-time donation can make an immediate difference. A monthly donation can help provide steady community support beyond the summer campaign. Food donations and volunteer support also help The Compass continue serving neighbours who rely on food assistance throughout the year.
But right now, the urgent need is clear: help children get to camp this summer.
Together, we can give children not just a place to go, but something every child deserves:
The chance to simply be a kid.
Scan the QR code below to make your matched gift to the Send A Kid To Camp campaign.
For questions about donating funds, donating food, volunteering, monthly giving, or other ways to support The Compass, please contact us today!
How can I help send children to summer camp in Mississauga?
You can donate to The Compass between June 1 and June 30. During this campaign, every dollar donated to the Send A Kid To Camp campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $50,000 to help send Compass children to summer camp.
Why does summer camp matter for families facing food insecurity?
Summer camp gives children a safe place to go, structured activities, friendship, and positive experiences. For parents facing food insecurity, camp can also provide relief while they work and manage rising household costs.
What does my donation to The Compass support?
During this campaign, your donation helps send children to summer camp. More broadly, donations to The Compass support food assistance, meals, programs, and community support for neighbours in south Mississauga.
