Te Awahou Kai volunteers Linda Lake (left) and Melissa Paterson. Photo / Supplied
It was two hungry tamariki knocking on Foxton resident Linda Lake’s door five years ago that jolted her into action.
For Lake, it was natural to feed these children, but she soon realised there was a wider need in Foxton for a service that provides furniture, clothing, food and, most
importantly, love and respect to whānau who are struggling.
Te Awahou Kai started in Lake’s home. She picked up donated goods and then gave them to people in need. Te Awahou Kai soon grew out of her home, and moved to an empty class at Foxton School. From there it has moved a few times, taking advantage of empty spaces, which the volunteers filled with donated goods and aroha.
Lake understands the challenges people on the margins face because she has been there herself. She knows that more than just kai, people need love, respect, and a chat over a cup of tea and a biscuit!
A friendly wave from Lake was what drew Melissa Paterson into Te Awahou Kai more than three years ago and she has been volunteering there since. Paterson loves seeing the look on people’s faces as they pick up their free food and she knows the work she is doing is making a world of difference to their customers.
