A midwinter update from the Foodbank
Wānaka winters can be tough for anyone, but there is practical support available to help you keep warm and well.
The Community Networks Foodbank is here if you’re struggling to put food on the table. We’ve been making some changes to our food parcel system over the last few weeks to help us make it more efficient.
Whilst we know that clients appreciate the flexibility of the New World vouchers we have been providing, we’re finding that grants and donations can no longer cover the cost of them. Therefore, we’re no longer supplying New World vouchers to clients and will instead focus on ensuring the Foodbank is well-stocked with fresh items such as fruit and veg, meat and dairy products. We’re also training up a team of volunteers to help clients choose and pack their parcels within certain time windows, and we’re looking into the possibility of an online click and collect service.
As of Monday, July 26th, the Foodbank is open at the following times only:
o Monday: 1pm-4pm
o Wednesday: 11am-2pm
o Friday: 9am-12pm.
The front desk team will always be on-hand to provide advice and connect you to support, Monday to Friday, 9:00-5:00pm.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone who donated to this year’s New World Family2Family Foodbank Appeal. We were delighted with the numbers of donations we received – we had bags from New World Wānaka and Three Parks rolling in by the vanload and filling our shelves, ready to give back to the community this winter. In total, we received 550 food bags, which will go such a long way to helping families struggling to make ends meet.
If you’d like to give something back this winter, Ramada Resort Wānaka are collecting clean blankets and good coats to donate to the community this weekend. These will then be donated to Community Networks to distribute to people in need. Please drop your donations to the Ramada before August 1st.
Finally, don’t forget that if you’re feeling anxious, down or just a bit overwhelmed, trained counsellors are available for you to talk to free of charge, 24 hours a day, when you call or text 1737.
Community Networks and LINK, your one-stop community support and connection centre.