Easing food insecurity in Motueka
Motueka High School’s recent can drive contributed 1600 cans to Motueka’s food bank reserves – half from the students, and the other half matched through Fonterra’s Hapori fund. Photo: Elise Vollweiler.
Last week, The Guardian published a story outlining the extent of food insecurity in our community. This week, we are offering information about where to find help for your own household, as well as how to provide help if you are able.
Where can I get help?
Monday – Salvation Army, 6 Greenwood Street, 10.30am-12pm. Food parcels given.
Tuesday – St Vincent de Paul, Community House in Decks Reserve. 1.30pm-2.30pm. Book an appointment from 8.30am Tuesdays through Community House (528 0404). Photo ID required. Vouchers given.
Wednesday - Salvation Army (as above)
Foodshare Motueka, 25 Woodland Avenue. Text 028 436 6407 before 2pm, including name and number of people in family (no reply will come, but all messages are received and allocated). Food boxes given.
Thursday - St Vincent de Paul (as above).
Friday - Alive Church, 374 High Street. Fortnightly service – check Facebook. Text household details to 021 025 52899 before 3pm Thursday; pick up Friday 2.30pm-3.30pm. Food boxes given.
Daily – Share Shelf is available at Motueka Community House 24/7 (outdoors), with additional items (including limited chilled and frozen items) available Monday-Friday 8.30am-4pm. Community House can also put together a food parcel with their reserves.
Weka Peckers, 97 Robinson Road, also offers a share shelf Monday-Saturday, 9am-4pm.
Māori whanau can receive support through Te Āwhina Marae’s Te Pataka programme. Phone 528 6061.
Community House holds a free Community Lunch on the third Thursday of each month, at 12pm.
How can I help?
• Donate to the food bank trolleys during your supermarket shops.
• Look out for New World Motueka’s Family to Family food drives, where customers can purchase a foodbank voucher that goes directly to these services.
• Any additional garden produce, no matter how much, can be passed on to these services. Pop it on the share shelf (it all goes!) or contact one of the above numbers directly. Community House manager Jane Henderson says it does not matter which service you support – it all goes to helping our community.
• Protein is always in high demand, so if you hunt, fish or have homekill meat, it is always gratefully received.