COMMUNITY NOTES

Baskets of Blessing – The Heart And Soul of Our Community

by Sue Fea

They’re the hearts with arms and legs of the Wakatipu community. Baskets of Blessing’s contribution has been so great that should its army of some 40 willing volunteers cease to operate that would leave a massive void. Started about 15 years ago by former local Tam Schurmann, Baskets of Blessing now serves an integral role in the Wakatipu and Central Otago’s social services.

In 2019 it became registered as a charitable trust – just in the nick of time. “It’s been getting busier ever since,” says Operations Manager Lee Nicolson. “Thankfully, we were geared up for the lifestyle changes that Covid and its restrictions and consequences have brought upon us.”

Demand for Baskets of Blessing’s nutritious frozen dinners, whipped up by local volunteers, including chefs, home cooks and retired country cooks, has escalated astronomically in recent years, as has demand for its food parcels and gift baskets.

Volunteers churned out 25,000 hours last year alone. They prepare and deliver some 400 meals a week, plus 25 - 40 food bags, and about 40 gift baskets a month.

Grateful recipients are always blown away by the much-welcomed kindness when it arrives at their door, with recipients anonymously nominated on the Baskets of Blessing website (www.basketsofblessing.co.nz).

The meals are prepared every Monday and Thursday at Arrowtown’s St John’s Presbyterian Church kitchen and hall with deliveries going out every Thursday.

“Our recipients are all facing unexpected life challenges, whether that be surgery, cancer treatment, struggles with a new-born baby, financial distress, bereavement, single parenting, anything,” says Lee.

Nominations come from across the community - midwives, nurses, counsellors, firefighters, teachers, or just caring family and friends. “Many people who are struggling don’t feel comfortable asking for help,” she says.

The frozen dinners – the likes of chicken casserole, beef stroganoff, lasagne, cottage pie and quiche are lifesavers to recipients, whipped up from ‘rescue food’ - produce and ingredients collected by Kiwi Harvest. “We use this food that supermarkets are obliged to discard by law, to cook and/or give to families or individuals finding things difficult,” says Lee.

Volunteers deliver the meals and food bags to those in need, using their own fuel and time, others make chutneys and crafts for the gift baskets, while some knit toys and baby clothing. Baskets of Blessing relies entirely on donations for these baskets from toiletries and baby products to gardening equipment, kids’ toys and goodies.

Lee says the team happily welcomes any newcomers or ‘walk-ins’ at its twice weekly cook-ups (St John’s Church Arrowtown – 10am – 1.30pm, Monday and Thursday).

“Every day we receive nominations of people needing help. Very few people realise the scale that our operation has grown into,” she says. “We’re so proud of the significant contribution that we’re making to people’s lives in their time of need.”

Many families are responding to some very complex issues whether they be mental, physical or financial, or all three. “We like to feel we’re helping them get back on their feet,” she says. “Meals make life easier when you can’t cook, or a box of food when you’re struggling, or a gift basket to show someone cares. That’s gold.”

Every year the output increases in volume as the need escalates. A high percentage of recipients then ‘pay it forward’ as volunteers.

Anything from $5 to an hour of time, or excess garden produce can be dropped off at selected volunteers’ homes.

To help see: www.basketsofblessing.co.nz

Email info@basketsofblessing.co.nz

Phone: 021957203

Fast Fashion - No, thanks!

Here’s why your dad’s 30 year old jacket is actually the best.

If you’re still sporting your father’s tweed blazer, elbow patches and all, or wearing mum’s netball uniform to practice - we want to know!

March is Slow Fashion Month and to celebrate, Sustainable Queenstown is giving away a shopping voucher for the Walk in Wardrobe. Dig out the oldest item of clothing you still wear (and if there’s a story to go with it, do tell!). Head to the post on our Facebook page to submit your photo and enter the draw to win!

So, what’s Slow Fashion Month all about?

We’re officially heading into fall, putting away the shorts and singlets, and major brands are already enticing us to update our wardrobes. As you congratulate yourself for scoring a deal on that brand new pair of jeans, we ask that you pause for a second and think about the real cost of your fast fashion fix.

In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, fast fashion refers to mass-produced, low cost clothing that is manufactured to respond to fleeting trends, to cycle in and out of shops rapidly. As a result, the fashion industry is responsible for double the emissions of the aviation and shipping industry combined. Textile Waste Reduction is an initiative of ResOURceful Communities, a program created by Wastebusters, and delivered in the Whakatipu by Sustainable Queenstown.

With this campaign, we encourage the community to reconsider their consumer habits. This month’s Green Drinks is a Sustainable Fashion Celebration! We are hosting a mega Clothes Swap, with volunteer stylists to help you ‘shop’ for the perfect items. We’ll have an alteration station featuring the lovely Kate from Stitch’n’Time, if any items you’ve purchased need just a little tweak to be perfect for you.

Our guest speakers are locals Nina from Tikki Studio and Jo from Coco’s Cabin who will share their experiences within the industry. QLDC is providing a Pop-up Library featuring titles about sustainable fashion practices. We also collaborated with local youth; student volunteers from Liger Leadership Academy have created something special to share with the community.

Throw in some bubbles, snacks, BYO drinks and a raffle to win a shopping voucher for yet another secondhand gem, Coco’s Cabin at Country Lane, and you’ve got the best Thursday night out!

Be a part of the solution!

With both budget and boutique options to shop pre-loved clothing, we can choose to make a difference with every purchase! By repairing rather than replacing clothing and upcycling or repurposing old clothes, we can slowly reverse the impact on our environment. We’ll be highlighting local businesses with sustainable options on social media- so keep an eye out!

Hulbert House is one of Queenstown's original residences. The building has been lovingly restored to match its Victorian heritage and offers accommodation that is the perfect mix of timeless elegance, with contemporary touches and services. To complement our luxury boutique 5-star accommodation, we are recruiting for skilled and passionate individuals to join our small team in the positions of:

General Assistant / Housekeeper

(minimum 30 hours - full time)

It is essential that the successful candidate for this position will possess the following attributes:

• Previous experience in a housekeeping role, with unsurpassed levels of attention to detail

• Previous experience working with food, particularly breakfast service

• A desire to deliver and exceed expectations in guest service

• High motivation and energy levels

• A pride in their personal grooming

• A high level of organisation and communication skills and great attention to detail

• The ability to work independently

• Flexibility to work morning and evening shifts, split shifts, including weekends and public holidays

Duties will include:

• Housekeeping rooms and common areas daily

• Attending to guests at breakfast and assisting during breakfast service

• Attending to guests' requests

• Assisting host to prepare and serve

• Hosting guests during our evening cocktail period

• Turndown service

• End of day procedures

Your wellbeing is important to us, we provide healthy staff meals daily (morning tea & lunch), you will have the same days off per week, you will enjoy a positive team environment, you will experience some of the kindest guests and be part of an award-winning hotel experience. We will encourage your growth and personal development.

Applications should include a cover letter and should be addressed in the first instance to:

Jade Errington General Manager manager@hulberthouse.co.nz