Covid-19 coronavirus Delta outbreak: Hundreds of food parcels needed as demand soars

A daily wrap of all the main developments in the Covid-19 Delta outbreak as New Zealand is plunged into lockdown for the fifth time. Video / NZ Herald / Getty

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An organisation that provides food for those in need more than doubled the amount it was prepared to hand out, and it still wasn't enough.

Agencies around the Bay of Plenty expect the demand for food to be higher at alert level 4 than during last year's lockdown, as those who used savings to get by last time may now be running on empty.

Elmer Peiffer from Rotorua Whakaora said it handed out 170 food parcels on Friday, 112 on Saturday, and took 50 to Linton Park and 50 to Mokoia Community Centre on Monday.

"We found the 50 at Linton wasn't enough ... We'd normally have about 15 or 20 people so we doubled the amount just in case, and double the amount wasn't enough," he said.

Elma and Gina Peiffer from Rotorua Whakaora. Photo / File

"That took us by surprise and it just showed the need in that Fordlands and Linton Park area. Even people from Western Heights have gone to access it."

The demand for food had increased by between 10 and 15 per cent since the lockdown including 5 per cent new clients.

The supply was "dwindling," he said. "We're being very careful and aware of what we can put out to ensure everybody gets a good portion for their family.

Rotorua Whakaora collecting food from organisations. Photo / Supplied

"We're always continually sourcing, and we've had some parties come together to give us some help. Just getting the word out there that we can use any and all food that's donated."

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While the demand was lower than in the last lockdown, he said the numbers would climb as more people realised they could use the service.

Peiffer said they feared an even bigger demand than the last lockdown as those who may have used their savings last year to get by may have nothing left.

He wanted people to know they would do everything they could to help with food where it was needed.

He also wanted to remind people to stay in their vehicles when collecting a parcel.

Rotorua Salvation Army corps officer Kylie Overbye said the demand for food was "definitely above average".

Rotorua Salvation Army corps officer Kylie Overbye. Photo / NZME

Overbye said some people were being referred from other agencies and others were seeking help directly.

She said children being at home, unable to get the lunches that were provided at school was an additional financial strain for parents on top of the fact kids were eating more while at home.

Overbye said people needing help ranged from those unable to buy food to those unable to leave the house due to age or disability.

Visions of a Helping Hand Charitable Trust founder Tiny Deane said the trust provided food parcels to those in motels it managed if it was urgent, however, this had been minimal with five parcels since the lockdown began.

Many of those in motels were able to do their own shopping.

He was unsure what the demand would be should the lockdown be extended, as he said people may begin to panic, or run out of money between benefit payouts.

He said the trust was also receiving referrals from other agencies for people who were not in motels, and demand for this was noticeably higher last week.

Tauranga Community Foodbank experienced more demand in the first two hours of this week than they normally would in a full day.

Foodbank manager Nicki Goodwin said there had been "lots" of people who had never accessed the foodbank before.

This was mainly around jobs and those who did not qualify for subsidies, not having enough money to pay for food.

"It's really hitting this week ... We're flat-out."

Tauranga homeless advocate Heidi Tidmarsh has been providing a contactless sausage sizzle for the street people of Tauranga.

Tauranga homeless advocate Heidi Tidmarsh has been providing a contactless sausage sizzle to feed those living on the streets. Photo / George Novak

The sausages were donated by Col Drever from Col's Butchery & Deli in Mount Maunganui, cooked at home by Tidmarsh, and taken to a bus stop in the CBD.

She would continue to do this wherever she saw a gap in the community food provided.

"They're hungry ... normally they have the restaurants they go to when they close and get a takeaway, that's not happening."

Those who begged were not getting any change for food.

Ministry of Social Development regional commissioner Mike Bryant urged anyone in need to contact the agency and not to try to go without.

Current data for the demand for food grants was not available.

He said it worked closely with social service providers, including foodbanks, during lockdowns to ensure food could get to vulnerable whānau and communities.

MSD teams are still working while the centres are closed at level 4, and people can get in touch through MyMSD or freephone 0800 559 009.