Rotorua sallies get help from all sides

Major Bill Millar looks to Rotorua for help. Photo / Stephen Parker

Major Bill Millar from the Sallies describes the situations they face

There she was at the food bank, softly spoken, well groomed and in her late 60s.

She was receiving the pension.

But within a few days she came in again; a bludger?

When a person fronts up to the Salvation Army food bank again within a short time, we do a little digging. "What is the underlying cause? Why do you need food again so soon?"

We then plan together, making changes for the better.

We would be failing our people if our food banks were limited to the provision of food only.

Sadly this woman's challenge is duplicated all too often nowadays.

She has had to step in and care for three grandchildren. Addiction to P has captured her daughter and her partner.

The fallout is already impacting three generations and will likely scar a fourth.

Such people need long-term support, often in tandem with other agencies.

For others, it may be a matter of learning how to budget, cook, develop life skills, parenting skills or face up to an addiction that is haemorrhaging money.

Because the digging needs to be done in a very sensitive, respectful, caring and professional manner, the Salvation Army is at pains to employ - and pay - well qualified staff.

Empathy and compassion are the number-one qualifications, but we are pleased to say that our staff are also appropriately academically qualified.

These "frontliners" are supported by a number of volunteers from retired people to students at Waiariki.

These beautiful people spend hours each week doing all manner of tasks that keep our well-oiled Community Ministries, not just the food bank, running.