Many hands on rural support project bag project

Nearly 300 support bags have been put together and will be distributed by Rural Women NZ for families in the district still affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. The team involved locally included back, from left, Hamish Cave, Sandra Matthews, Rob Faulkner, Ian Matthews and Kerry Hickling. In front are, from left, Terresa Cook, Sandra Faulkner, Sara Laurence and her daughter Leilani , and Lucy Bond. Picture supplied

Rural Women New Zealand (RWNZ) national board chair Sandra Matthews gathered a team of volunteers in Tairāwhiti last weekend to pack 287 support bags for distribution to farming families.

RWNZ members from all over the country have donated much-needed supplies for families and individuals who continue to be impacted by cyclones Hale and Gabrielle and more recent heavy rainfalls.

“The support bags will be delivered to farming families across Tairāwhiti over the coming weeks.” Mrs Matthews said.

Home baking, hand-knitted garments and beautiful quilts, made and sent with aroha by RWNZ members, are among the items the recipients may find in their bags.

Supplies of dry goods, non-perishable items and toiletries are also included as many rural people remain isolated due to damage to roads and bridges.

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“Everything about this project is massive,” Mrs Matthews  said.

“From the huge quantity of donated goods, to the big push to pack the bags, to the logistical exercise that it will take to deliver them over the coming weeks –—it wouldn’t be possible without the contributions of so many people.”

In addition to the 287 support bags, a number of shoeboxes packed with gifts, personal care items, food items and treats sent from around New Zealand would  be delivered.

“Packing and distributing the support bags is a collaborative effort and has brought together local friends from Rural Women New Zealand, Federated Farmers, Rural Support Trust, Beef + Lamb NZ, East’s at Makaraka, Ministry for Primary Industries, Trust Tairāwhiti and farmers,” she said.

Many in this group are part of the Rural Coordination Group who have been actively working on behalf of the rural community since early January to connect and support farmers and their families in response to

both cyclones and the most recent flooding events.