Whanganui church burgled twice: 'People are clearly hungry'

Michael O'Shea (left) and Philip Warren want to mingle church, food and exchange and barter in Whanganui East. Photo / Stuart Munro

It was only food that was stolen the last two times the All Saints Church Hall in Whanganui East was burgled.

The hall is used by a Samoan group, which has a lunch there.

Their instant noodles, sugar and rice were taken. Another church group puts on lunches for the needy at the hall on some Thursdays, and its frozen food was stolen.

Doors were broken down both times, and each cost $500 to fix, member of the Anglican Parish of Whanganui vestry Philip Warren said.

The hall and church have been getting little use since Whanganui's Anglican parishes amalgamated.

"They are being neglected. We wanted to find a way to get people in them."

And people are clearly hungry, something the church is concerned about.

Warren is also a member of the River Exchange and Barter System (REBS) and with its secretary Michael O'Shea has come up with a solution.

The church has placed a box it calls its pantry under the overhanging roof by the hall's door. A notice tells people "take what you need and leave what you can".

On October 2 it contained grapefruit, lemons and a can of baked beans. People can "discreetly give and take without anyone seeing".

"It's working quite well already," Warren said.

With his REBS hat on, he and O'Shea are also trying a REBS market in the hall from 3.30 to 5.30 on Tuesday afternoons. The Whanganui East shopping centre is busy at that time.

The market will provide access to people who can't get to the REBS stall at the Whanganui River Markets on Saturday.

It will also be a place for REBS growers to sell produce that won't last until Saturday - such as ripe figs or tomatoes.

People will be able to drop off items between 8 and 9am. They will sell for cash, "River dollars" or a mixture of the two, and Warren will keep records.

The River Exchange and Barter System started in 1989. In it people can exchange goods or services for "River dollars" which have equivalent value to usual money. Their account is credited or debited according to what they take and provide.

The system offers painting, housekeeping, plants and seeds, baking, chickens and bicycle maintenance, as well as fruit, vegetables and other food.

It has 57 members and is looking for more growers.