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Wednesday 7 February 2024
Cost of living crunch means more in need ELISE VOLLWEILER 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
Motueka Community House’s Share Shelf is a valued resource for people who are struggling to put food on the table, says manager Jane Henderson. Photo: Elise Vollweiler. 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 al-
ready 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
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