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M!NT Charitable Trust Another food charity planned for Summer Holiday Programme Wānaka and Cromwell
PHOTOS: Supplied
The M!NT Crew on their beach day to Kidds Bush.
PHOTO: Supplied
General Manager of Kiwi Harvest Blandina Diamond
Jo Galer
journalist@thewanakasun.co.nz
M!NT Volunteer Krystelle Madsen and Ava Walker participating in our Mad Hatters Tea Party!
A national food rescue group plans to operate in Wānaka and Cromwell, providing meals for social groups and low-decile schools. Currently, though each may have a different focus, there is the Wānaka Food Bank and Food for Love. Now, add KiwiHarvest seeking suppliers and their excess food, and calling for in-need community groups to register for their meal deliveries. General Manager Blandina Diamond, of the Auckland Head Office, said the charity had recently acquired a warehouse for storing chilled and frozen food in pellets in Queenstown and this would provide storage for the region’s fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers, and also those contributing perishable food from as far afield as Christchurch and Auckland. The surplus food comes from growers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retail food businesses who support the charity in New Zealand. Kiwi Harvest is in discussion with the two New Worlds in Wānaka and the Mediterranean Market as possible suppliers, and is keen to work with community groups who have a need. This might include low decile schools for free lunches or breakfasts, or any social service organisation, but not individual, that had a need. A check of their website shows that many
churches, schools and social agencies are already recipients of KiwiHarvest’s “rescued” food in centres such as Dunedin. Diamond said that all going well, the meals and food would be delivered via a truck that would operate one day a week between Queenstown and Wānaka. The operation would be administered using staff at their Queenstown branch. “A community group in Wānaka contacted us last year asking if we would come into Wānaka and saying there was a need. Demand did increase especially during the Covid period, and we’ve been getting a consistent message there’s not enough food and greater demand. We think the need will grow further as people’s employment, income and stability networks are impacted by Covid. “We are still at the planning stage so are interested in hearing from cafes and restaurants interested in donating their perishable but not handled food, and also from community groups who have a need and want to register for free meals.” Eventually, KiwiHarvest hoped to expand into Alexandra and Glenorchy. KiwiHarvest’s operation is funded through Central Government grants, local councils, businesses and donations from the public. People can register their need for the service through the KiwiHarvest website or by calling 0800 601609.
THE RIVER CITY JAZZMEN Recognised as one of the very best toe-tapping Dixieland bands in the country! SATURDAY 23 JAN, 7.30 PM LAKE WANAKA CENTRE 89 ARDMORE ST
The M!NT Crew at SITE trampolining during their trip to Queenstown these holidays.
M!NT Charitable Trust is delivering a four week holiday programme this month catering to kids, youth and adults with intellectual disability. The aim is to expand their horizons whilst fostering independence and peer relationships. So far, the programme has offered a great beach day at Kidds Bush, a trip to SITE trampolining in Queenstown and an action packed tour at Hillend Station Farm. Activities coming up include a boat trip to
THE WĀNAKA SUN
Ruby Island. The M!NT Holiday Programme is the first of its kind in the Upper Clutha region. As one parent has said, “ We cannot believe what a difference this has made to our child’s school holidays, for once they have something really exciting to look forward to and it’s a welcome break for us as parents to know that our child is happy and well supported during these hours.”
ADULTS: $35; STUDENTS AT SCHOOL: FREE Presented by Wanaka Concert Society. Supported by QLDC. Cash ticket sales at Gifted Design Store, 19 Helwick Street, Wānaka. Online sales at www.eventfinda.co.nz, Booking Fee applies. Cash door-sales from 6.30pm at Lake Wanaka Centre.
www.wanakaconcertsociety.org.nz
THURSDAY 21.01.21 - WEDNESDAY 27.01.21
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