Grant helps gardening skills project take root

The community garden will be supervised by older trust members.

Each week the Te Whanau O Waipareira Trust gives out 65 food parcels of rice, flour and tinned food.

There's no fresh fruit or vegetables, but that's about to change with a community garden. Its older members will set it up, and those receiving food parcels will look after it.

The trust has been a one-stop West Auckland shop for health, education, justice and social services since 1984. Executive services manager Danielle Vaoga hopes the garden will teach clients new skills while they enjoy the fruits and vegetables of their labour.

"A lot of our members are unemployed so this will teach them how to grow and care for something, while feeding their families."

To assist this, the trust was one of 12 charities picked to receive a $10,000 Christmas grant from Auckland Airport.

Mrs Vaoga said the trust was very grateful for these funds, and the chance to begin this project, which she hopes will become sustainable.

"I hope once this gets off the ground and producing good produce, it can continue to serve the community for years to come."

The trust was working with a horticulturist to decide what fruit, vegetables and herbs to grow.

Auckland Airport spokesman Charles Spillane said this project was a "win-win" for everyone.

"Establishing their own community garden will not only help Te Whanau O Waipareira provide food to needy families, but it will also allow these families to learn aspects of horticulture."

Airport windfall

This Christmas, the Herald is again featuring charities which have been selected for a $10,000 donation from Auckland Airport. The $120,000 to be distributed came from change donated by travellers this year.