5000 serves is healthy start

It's said there is no such thing as a free lunch but 5000 free meals have been given out at the Hare Krishna Whangarei Food for Life centre since it opened in December.

The centre was set up by the Krishna movement after it became concerned about the number of homeless and hungry people in Whangarei.

And the demand was so strong the 5000th free meal was served at the Maunu Rd centre yesterday.

But Angel McMahon was not only the 5000th hungry mouth fed at the centre yesterday, she was also the first through the doors when the centre opened eight months ago.

The 47-year-old child caregiver said the healthy food keeps her coming back, instead of going to fast-food outlets.

The centre is run by members of the Hare Krishna faith and serves free healthy vegetarian food, although donations are welcome. Buddhi and Suvarna Wilcox, the founders of Food for Life, opened the centre after noticing a need in Whangarei.

"The people who come here are generally in need. But it has also engaged the community and increased awareness," said Mr Wilcox.