Helping hand for those who need food

Work placement student Theresa Banfield assists the team at the Rotorua Salvation Army foodbank. Photo/Stephen Parker

"I DON'T normally come here," a Rotorua mother says as she sits in the foyer of the Salvation Army office in Community House.

"We don't have an income for the next two weeks ... We've been to Work and Income and they've said they can't help, so I'm here.

"We literally have a bag of pasta, a quarter of a cup of rice, mixed herbs and enough milk in the fridge for one more cup of tea," she says.

The small waiting area of the office was nearly at standing room only with six adults and two children in on a busy afternoon this week.

The constant sound of a doorbell alerts volunteers and staff out the back that another person is in wanting help.

A solo father of two is also needing assistance and says many more people would turn to crime to try and feed their family if it wasn't for the Sallies.

"They'd go stealing. It's about survival and when you have kids you do what you can to feed them. They're non-judgmental here and they try and help you out of your whole situation not just by giving food," he says.

"I've had food here before and it's such a relief - for even just a few days, you don't have to stress."

It's not all one-way. During the Rotorua Daily Post's short time at the office, three people dropped off donations. A large room holds the foodbank stock where two weeks ago the shelves looked bare.

A freezer sits in the corner, a top shelf holds nappies of different sizes, dry goods are stacked neatly into food groups and a wall is allocated for tinned food. Large storage bins also line the room filled with various items such as flour, Weet-Bix, rice and pet food.

Salvation Army community ministries manager Shelly Fischer says the community support during the appeal has helped the foodbank stay open. Photo/Stephen Parker

Community ministries manager Shelly Fischer moves instinctively around the larder compiling food parcels in seconds. Fruit, noodles, toiletries, bread, pasta, sauces, cereal, tinned food is part of a package that she makes up for two adults and two children.

Ms Fischer divides her time between the parcels and talking to clients. The Salvation Army also provided a budgeting service and counselling.

Since the Foodbank SOS (Save our Sallies) appeal was launched, more than $6000 worth of products has been donated. This included seven bags of apples, bags of potatoes, 11 boxes of tinned goods - 500 tins, noodles, cereal, biscuits. About $17,000 in cash donations was also received.

"It's huge," Ms Fischer says. "It's meant we're able to keep operating. We just appreciate the community's generosity and helping us keep our doors open to do the work. Food is a way to engage with people, but the service offered is so much more than just food. It's getting people other assistance they may need."

Rotorua Daily Post deputy editor Katie Holland said staff had been overwhelmed by the response. "From day one, we had people continually dropping off food and money to our office and sharing the appeal through social media and by word of mouth.

"We want to say a huge thank you to all those who donated, no matter the amount, you have really made a difference."

-The Rotorua Daily Post SOS appeal ends today. Donations are still welcome at the Community House on Haupapa St, the Family Store in Pukuatua St and the Salvation Army Church on Old Taupo Rd.