Foodbank appeal: Need high in Rotorua

Salvation Army corps officer Kylie Overbye urges the community to give at this time of year. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER

As part of the Rotorua Daily Post Christmas Appeal, Rotorua Salvation Army corps officer Kylie Overbye writes about what it is like to help people at this time of year

Shortly after [husband] Ralph and I arrived as the new corps officers in Rotorua in January, we very quickly discovered how high the need was in Rotorua.

We'd done a little research about our city, but it's not until you get on the frontline that you can truly experience it and understand what people are going through.

In our local setting I think what has stood out to us the most is that whilst we know people have a variety of underlying reasons for requiring our support with food assistance, when people are experiencing hardship, they opt for going without food to free up a little bit of money to pay essential bills.

I find that really concerning. I feel for the families. It's not nice having to deny family members some food.

As a mother of four young boys, if I had to let my children know they couldn't have a full meal, or that they wouldn't be able to take lunch to school, it would be heartbreaking.

Susan King, our social support worker who is one of our key staff that greets people coming through our doors each day, said since the doors opened at 9am on Monday morning people were coming in off the street, and by 11am they had given out 10 food parcels.

She said she also had three people asking about support they might be able to get for Christmas.

Families are starting to get really concerned that they may not be able to celebrate or provide for their families over Christmas and are trying to find a way to get through that time.

The Salvation Army provides a range of services to try and set people up for the long-term but first we need to ensure they're adequately fed.

We appeal to those who are in a position to give, to think about those who aren't.

This food drive is vital to helping us continue to provide food assistance to people in our community who really need it, as we engage with them and help them to overcome their difficult circumstances.

This appeal not only helps us provide over the Christmas period, but it goes a long way to sustaining us throughout the coming year.

Without the practical support for food, we wouldn't be able to keep up with the need, and people would go without. Please help us to not let that happen.

Make your donations of non-perishable food at the Rotorua Daily Post office: 1143 Hinemoa St or the Salvation Army's Community Ministries, 1188 Amohia St.

You can also donate money at BNZ: The Salvation Army Rotorua, Reference: Foodbank, Acc: 02-0416-0024233-00. If any organisations, schools or individuals are organising a fundraising event, please let us know by emailing news@dailypost.co.nz or contacting reporter Kyra Dawson on (07) 349 7477.