Charitable group changes name

Julie King

A Rotorua charitable group has been forced to change its name after a legal demand from a charitable group with a similar name.

The not-for-profit organisation formerly known as Love Soup Community Kai, has announced it will now be known as Rotorua Community Kai.

This follows a recent cease and desist letter from the Tokoroa-based Love Soup Charitable Trust - which had registered the Love Soup name and was concerned about confusion between the two groups.

Rotorua Community Kai provides a free meal every Thursday night at Linton Park Community Centre and delivers food if families request their help.

Spokeswoman Levi Leathers said the group had started as part of the Love Soup Charitable Trust but broke away following a dispute.

She said it was thought the two groups could co-exist but the relationship had deteriorated.

Manager Karen Harvey-Griggs said the legal letter was "unnecessary and unfair".

"We could have co-existed harmoniously, even if they [Love Soup] wanted to set up their charity in Rotorua, but it's been made an issue and that's not fair."

However Love Soup founder Julie King said the legal action was necessary to reclaim the name.

"We asked early this year if they could stop using our name and when they continued, we decided to take legal action because the two organisations no longer have anything to do with each other."

Ms King said she intended to set up a Rotorua Love Soup kitchen in the near future.

Ms Leathers said there had been confusion between the two organisations with people making donations to the wrong group by mistake.

However Ms King said Love Soup had never received any donations intended for Rotorua Community Kai or any other charities.

Ms Leathers said her group was now looking forward.

"We are happy for Julie to roll with what she wants to do and we will continue to do our best to help hungry families in Rotorua. We are dedicated to the community and won't let anything stop us from helping those in need."