Food relief organisations have stretched their capacity to meet the increasing need of hungry families. Already this year, fresh food for more than 1.5 million meals has been shared with whānau who are doing it tough in domestic violence shelters, refugee communities, mental health and social services, rangatahi programmes, and transitional housing.
While the need grows, funding has been shrinking, with a recent report highlighting massive cuts of $3,228,612 to West Auckland charities.
Local organisations have been forced to discontinue youth development training and mentoring programmes, early learning play groups, adult education and counselling, cultural programmes and environmental projects.
Rather than dwell on the deficit, more than 20 diverse community groups came together in Henderson to share resources, plan for the future, and honour the people who distribute more than 10 tonnes of fresh food each week across West Auckland. Themes included the growing support to kuia and kaumatua whose retirement incomes are no longer sufficient as well as to single parents who are working full-time but are struggling to keep up with the cost of living crisis.
Food recipients shared their insights as they support whānau on this same journey with them.
We all want a future where food parcels are rare and are united in our efforts to see our community thrive.
The event was brought together by Kai West with support from Love Food Hate Waste (Auckland Council), Fair Food and WEAVE and was hosted at Seed 2 Harvest. Alongside whānau and community volunteers, organisations who attended the event include Agape Ministries, Awhi Shed, Auckland Council, Community Waitākere, Family Action, Glenavon Hub, Glen Eden Pataka Kai volunteers, Health West, Henderson-Massey and Waitākere Local Boards, Henderson Chinese Seventh-Day Adventist church, Kelston Hub, Massey Matters, Mercy Waitematā, Ranui Baptist, Salvation Army Waitākere and Westgate, Seed 2 Harvest, Te Atatu Foodbank, Te Whānau o Waipareira, Te Waipuna Puawai, and Vision West.
Please check here for help getting a food parcel near you. Fair Food can provide groceries for a week’s worth of meals for less than $15 in operating costs. Donate now to help a family have dinner to share on Christmas.
