The Nelson Community Food Bank is pleading for more donations to provide meals for people in need after a fall in donations since Christmas.
Manager Daniel Grade says the Christmas drive for donations resulted in a huge response that added up to $20,000 in food as well as $5,000 in cash from the Nelson Weekly’s advertising campaign.
But in the wake of the Christmas goodwill, donations have tailed off at a time when the number of people needing help to put food on the table continues to climb.
“Over Christmas we got our name out there to promote the Christmas donation food drive and the results were phenomenal with more than $20,000 value of food which blew us away.
“That was amazing, but we need to build on this generosity and momentum,” Daniel says.
“We don’t just need help at Christmas; we need help throughout the year.”
Eighty per cent of Food Bank’s funding is from its own fundraising efforts or Ministry of Social Development, leaving 20 per cent that needs to be sourced from the general public.
Daniel says the food bank has a commitment to provide food parcels to those in need ,and when funding is tight they buy food accordingly.
The high price of eggs means it is one of the ingredients that has been reduced for the food parcels.
“We’ve had to halve the quantity of eggs we’re using because we just can’t afford it. They’re easy to cook and versatile, so a staple of food parcels.”
Parcels have ingredients for four meals a week and include fruit and vegetables, pantry essentials, meat and fish, with the goal of providing nutritionally-balanced meals.
Each week, parcels are delivered from Atawhai to Wakefield.
“We know there’s a lot of people out there struggling.
“They’re anxious about their next pay cheque and how they’re going to pay the rent and food bill. That is why the need is so great at the moment.”
Food Bank orders usually come via social services that dealt directly with those needing help. Last year, the number of parcels increased by nearly 50 per cent and Daniel says the service continues to grow.
Last week alone, it delivered 94 parcels to 328 people and on one of those days it supplied food to 101 people which was the highest number since he has been managing the Food Bank.
At Food Bank, orders are packed and delivered each week by about 30 volunteers and Daniel says they always need more volunteers as well as donations.
He says a donation is never too small and it can be as simple as buying another packet of pasta at the supermarket.
Pantry supplies are the best food donations such as cereals, baked beans, pasta, rice, tinned fruit and fish, crackers, instant coffee and tea.
“If anyone has spare fruit and veges we’d take that gladly. It doesn’t matter how much people donate as everything is of value and will go to recipients who need our help.
“We know everyone is feeling the pinch, so we are very grateful for whatever anyone can afford to give.”
Donations can be dropped off at the Food Bank, located at the Habitat for Humanity complex, or collection points at Nelson Countdown opposite The Warehouse or Nelson Fresh Choice. Stoke New World has a Family2Family programme where customers can fill a bag of groceries for Food Bank, or buy a bag already filled.
Donations can also be made into Food Bank’s account that can be found on its website.
By Anne Hardie
