Motueka households are increasingly struggling to put food on the table.
Charitable agencies working in food assistance are reporting a heightened need and are asking for additional support from the wider community.
They are also eager for struggling families to understand that help is out there for them.
Salvation Army community ministries manager Richard Currie says that there has been an approximate 15 to 20 per cent increase in need over the past year alone, which has included an increase in working families asking for help.
Richard says that they would love to see an increase in donations of both food and cash to help put some supplies back into people’s fridges and pantries.
He says that people can donate food at their Motueka Community Ministry Centre at 6 Greenwood St, as well as online through the Foodbank Project at www.foodbank.org.nz
“We are keen to build some corporate partnerships so any businesses that may like to help us increase our food donations can contact me.”
The Kai Collectors and Distributors network, which helps coordinate food assistance for Salvation Army, Community House, Food Share Motueka and St Vincent de Paul, are also seeing a rising number of requests as the cost of living continues to bite.
Network member Marieann Keenan says that there are many businesses and groups that already donate generously, such as the Federated Farmers’ Meat the Need programme, Kids Can, Frasers Orchard and Golden Bay Fruit, as well as local supermarkets.
“Our goal is to let no food go to waste and to quickly get food assistance to those who need it,” she says.
“The kaupapa is to give what you can and take what you need.”
Community House manager Jane Henderson says that if people are in need, they should never hesitate to reach out and should know that they are not experiencing this on their own.
“Every weekday in Motueka there is some sort of food support that people can access,” she says. “Often there are ways that people can also give back when they are ready.”
She says that the Community House reception is open Monday to Friday 8.30am-4pm, and the staff can offer advice on how to access all available food services.
“There is no judgment, and no one leaves empty handed.”
Kai With Love, which provided weekly food boxes for dozens of families throughout the district, announced last week that it would not be able to continue this year due to a lack of funding.
“Our hearts go out to all who will be impacted by the loss of our service,” the social media post reads. Jane says that its closure will indeed leave a gap in the provision to the community.
“This service has become a lifeline for some families, providing a free food source once a week in Motueka. The organisations that are part of the Kai Collectors and Distributors network are working together to help fill the gaps for these families.”
People are encouraged to take their surplus garden produce or grocery items to Community House’s share shelf, which can be accessed by anyone in need. They would be especially grateful for any protein, such as meat, cheese and milk, Jane says.
She reports that they receive regular donations from Motueka’s community gardens, Salvation Army and “many many members of the wider community”.
“We also have people who donate money to this cause,” she says. Bank account details are Motueka Community House, 03 1354 0540359 00.
“This generosity overwhelms us at times as we know full well that a little from someone can mean such a lot to someone else.”
