Dear Venerable Abbots, Venerable Abbesses, and Temple Lay Representatives,

We hope you are as excited as we are for the upcoming “Vesak: Buddha’s Birthday Celebration” on Saturday, May 23, at Celebration Square in Mississauga. It promises to be a joyful and meaningful gathering for our entire community.

In the true spirit of Vesak, a time dedicated to compassion, generosity, and kindness, we have decided to organize a Food Drive during the celebration to support families and children in need throughout the Region of Peel. We will be collecting non-perishable vegetarian food items for Food4Kids Peel and Sai Dham Food Bank, organizations dedicated to helping children and general public who have limited access to nutritious food at home.

Every day, thousands of individuals and families across Ontario depend on food banks and community organizations for basic nourishment. Due to the growing demand, many food programs are struggling to keep their shelves stocked. As Buddhists, we are reminded that generosity (dāna) and compassion are among the highest virtues we can practice. Vesak is not only a time to honor the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha, but also an opportunity to bring happiness, relief, and hope to others.

All food collected will be donated to Food4Kids Peel and Sai Dham Food Bank. Their dedicated volunteers prepare and deliver healthy food packages each week to more than 1,600 children in the community.

The following items are especially needed:

• Fruit cups: pears, pineapple, mixed fruit, or applesauce (packed in juice, not syrup)
• Cereal bars: Kellogg’s All Bran Bars, granola bars (nut-free)
• Protein items: noodle soup, Stagg Chili (easy-open cans), Campbell’s Soup at Hand
• Snacks: Goldfish crackers (snack size), raisin snack boxes
• Fresh fruit: bags of apples, boxes of clementines, bananas

Any contribution, big or small, will be deeply appreciated and will make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and families facing food insecurity.

If you are able to bring donations, kindly drop them off at the Food Drive Booth during the Vesak celebration.

Thank you for your kindness, generosity, and continued support. May this Vesak bring peace, happiness, and blessings to all beings.

With metta and gratitude,

The Organizing Committee of Vesak Festival 2026