Yoga devotees give to foodbank

GOOD VIBES: Yin Yoga Napier well-being director Carol Neilson with food donated by students who attended a free meditation series. PHOTO/WARREN BUCKLAND

Relieving stress and calming the mind before a festive rush served another purpose for attendees of a free meditation series at Napier's Yin Yoga.

People were able to "give back" by donating a koha of tinned food, in order to stock the shelves at Napier Food Bank during a busy time of year. The new initiative was well received and showed a generosity and willingness to help others, which is why Yin Yoga director Carol Neilson hopes to make it a regular fixture.

"When the three of us sat down to talk about where the koha should go, the two young mothers said they know how hard it can be around Christmas time. The foodbank was our choice because it catered to the whole family," she said.

Over five weeks they gathered boxes of canned food and also presents for children.

It was a humbling experience for Ms Neilson, who witnessed people bringing donations even though they were unable to attend the meditation classes.

Foodbanks throughout the region have been offering extra assistance to families in need, and were once again met with plenty of demand. The overriding theme however was that of individuals and businesses giving selflessly, say Napier and Hastings Salvation Army. This year the Napier branch handed out 676 Christmas food parcels compared with 707 last year, after tightening up the criteria around who was eligible.

"We always get more donations around this time, people have been very generous, but we are always looking for more which we can freeze or put in the fridge," Major Alister Irwin said. "The difficulty at this time of year is that we can't take anything fresh, so tinned and non-perishables are good."

Already they were shifting their attention to budgeting and positive lifestyle services to assist those who had overspent during the silly season.

Hastings too was met with a steady stream of people needing a boost by way of groceries, but they were fortunate to receive help from the community. Heading into the New Year, they expected more people through the doors.

"We are very grateful for everything. We will be taking a break until January 12, but anyone who needs us or wants to donate anything can leave a message and we will get back to them," Major Bruce Aldersley said.