Hard times cause run on food bank

Salvation Army food bank supervisor Gay Matoe is welcoming any donations, as demand for the service overwhelms stock levels. Photo / Michael Cunningham

The cupboards are desperately bare at the Salvation Army's Whangarei food bank, and the organisation is appealing for urgent donations as demand for the service soars.

Food bank supervisor Gay Matoe said she was in tears by Friday afternoon. She had given out 32 food parcels that day and stock levels were the lowest they had been during her four years in the role.

"We've literally got nothing," she said. "We're basically out of all the basics."

Four years ago about 20 parcels would be considered a busy day, whereas in the last month about 30 was the norm. Not only was the number of clients increasing, so was the complexity of their cases, Ms Matoe said.

"There's a lot more first-time clients, they have bigger families and there's a higher cost of living. The women in the front office get three people a day looking for housing assistance. We have more homeless people and because of [poor] housing people are getting sicker ... The food bank is just a small part of it."

Competition from other charities also affected the food bank, she said.

High rents, unexpected bills, children left unexpectedly in a family member's care, and job loss were among the most common reasons people gave for accessing the service.

"Some of the single ones on benefits, by the time they have paid their rent they only have between $14 and $17 left for food."

Ms Matoe said the "vast majority" of cases were in genuine need and those that were "pulling your leg" were easy to identify. People accessing the food bank more than once were diverted to other Salvation Army services like budgeting and counselling.

"It takes a lot for people to come in. A lot of people have already been to [Work and Income]. There's people that don't come that really should because they think there are people worse off or because of pride."

The average food parcel comprised bread, milk, eggs, tinned goods, toilet paper and other items like fresh fruit and vegetables, according to availability. Ms Matoe said when there was little food, it affected the nutritional value of the packages she could give out.

"I did not know what we were going to do today ... I am going to spend today sitting on the phone," she told the Advocate.

To donate, visit the Salvation Army at 3 Aubrey St, Whangarei, 9.30am-4.30pm, or call 438 8335. All donations welcomed.