“Council have been very supportive,” Nobbs said.
The organisation is working with the council and the Ministry of Social Development to find a long-term funding solution.
In January and February, it served 1653 people at its free table, 1036 at the Ara Social Supermarket and delivered 2404 food parcels.
Nobbs said demand would continue to rise in 2026.
“What we are experiencing now is actually the new normal,” he said.
“It’s not a one-off thing that’s going to disappear.”
One in three Kiwi households experienced food insecurity in 2025, according to a recent report by NZ Food Network’s 2025 Hunger Monitor.
Households are deemed “food insecure” when, because of their financial position, they compromise on the quality of food or consumption.
Some 68% of food-insecure households in 2025 said it was their first time struggling to afford groceries.
Preparing for the ongoing food crisis would require resilience, Nobbs said.
“I don’t think it’s going to magically go back to how things were before, when it was easier to get funding, when it was easier to feed people.
“There’s so much chaos going on.”
Mental health incidents or people having emotional moments at the aid centre had also risen, a sign of the extreme stress many were feeling, Nobbs said.
“Normally, it’s triggered by a lot of things but one of those things that it’s triggered by is just lack of hope, and stress.”
City Mission works closely with Whanganui People’s Advocacy Centre.
That organisation assists people, especially those suffering from mental health conditions, to navigate Work and Income and Internal Revenue so they receive the correct support.
For people who feel ashamed or intimidated by needing to ask for help, the People’s Centre can act as a middleman.
“They are probably the best organisation that we work with,” Nobbs said.
Whanganui People’s Advocacy Centre manager Sharon Semple said they were under massive strain and widespread staff burnout – “we’ve got a crisis”.
She said staff regularly worked through lunch breaks and did not finish until late at night.
“There doesn’t seem to be a reprieve.”
Food or money donations were the best way the public could help City Mission, Nobbs said.
It needed food basics including pasta, canned goods and venison.
He said, despite challenges, City Mission was “really grateful” for the ongoing community support.
“We feel really lucky that we are supported with a lot of kindness by the community.”
City Mission launched a fundraiser last November to raise $750,000 to buy its base’s building.
Nobbs said the focus was on providing food but buying the building was essential for reducing costs long term.
“The challenge is that you’re asking the same people to fund your building as you are to fund your food.”
Food donations to City Mission can be dropped off at the main building at 9 Park Place or at the Whanganui River Markets on March 28.
Donations can be made on the City Mission Whanganui website.
Any donation of $1000 to the building fundraiser will receive a free limited-edition print by Whanganui artist Matt Dutton while supplies last.
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.
