Foodbank needs help to feed all our hungry

The board of Christian Social Services Wanganui is urging the community to help restock the city foodbank's shelves.

CSS Wanganui chairman Tim Campbell said, based on existing needs, the foodbank distributed $150,000 worth of food parcels a year.

Of that amount, $120,000 was raised from grants, Wanganui church and community donations, and the annual Rotary Foodbank drive.

CSS Wanganui buys $35,000-$40,000 of foodstuffs a year and the two main supermarkets in Wanganui donate goods and foods.

Foodbank co-ordinator Linda Taumoeanga is also collecting information to help the board assess its clients' needs. Once the board knew those needs, it could refer each individual to the social agency that would help them move up the rungs of the ladder to be self-reliant.

The data was also essential for the foodbank's funding providers, Mr Campbell said.

The board was competing for a shrinking pool of money and the data would help it secure funding to help with its core business.

When questioned about whether there was a change from a social model to a business model, Mr Campbell replied that was a misnomer people had thrown around.

"There was never an intention of the board to run as a profit, but we have to tick the boxes and pay our bills."

He said CSS Wanganui had faced significant losses over a number of years.

Foodbank needs hand to feed Wanganui hungry

The Mission Impossible shop had been losing $30,000-$40,000 a year, and could have continued if it had been cash neutral, Mr Campbell said.

Mrs Taumoeanga and one other person were the only full-time employees; the rest of the people who worked at the City Mission were volunteers.

"Linda is on the minimum wage. We would like to pay her more, because she is the front person and has to make the hard decisions about whether the people she is seeing can get a food parcel," he said.

To give foodstuffs or goods, or a financial donation, contact Mrs Taumoeanga, 345 2139, at the City Mission, 183 Wicksteed St.

Round the Bridge fun run/walk

This year's event is to benefit the City Mission.

To register schools, please phone Sandra Rickey 06 349 0710 ext 50853, or email sandra.rickey@wanganuichronicle.co.nz

Registration closes 3.30pm today. Corporates, as above, but registration closes 4.30pm today.