Foodstuffs South Island provides $20,000 grant to Southern Cancer Society
Families around the South Island who are battling cancer have been given a helping hand after Foodstuffs South Island provided $20,000 in PAK’nSAVE and New World vouchers to the Southern Cancer Society.
Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust provided the grant to support South Island families and their loved ones who are undergoing cancer treatment.
PAK’nSAVE Papanui co-owner and Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust Chair, Lucy Boock, says the Trust, which is funded by Foodstuffs South Island store owners, is committed to being Here for NZ by supporting local communities, including those who are dealing with hardship.
“Unfortunately, we all know someone who has been impacted by cancer, whether directly or indirectly, it’s a diagnosis that can impact every aspect of a person’s life, as well as the lives of those closest to them,” Lucy says.
“We wanted to make a meaningful contribution to the people and families going through tough times and provide a little help to ease the financial struggles that unexpected illness can bring, and this was one way we could make a difference.”
This year’s grant to the Cancer Society follows on from previous contributions. In 2023, the Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust provided the Society with $15,000 in store vouchers, and in 2022, it provided a $13,650 grant to buy 50 mini fridges for the Canterbury Cancer Centre.
Craig Watson, Head of Cancer Services at the Southern Cancer Society, said the $20,000 in vouchers had been gratefully received by more than 50 families in the Otago/Southland and Canterbury West-Coast regions as it helped alleviate some of the anxiety around paying for food and daily living expenses.
“The vouchers are making a huge difference to our families experiencing real need,” Craig says.
“Many clients need to give up work due to their diagnosis and treatment, which often means dropping to one wage or living off savings – while some people are too sick to work.
“They often need support for daily living expenses and food. Some are even selling assets to pay for treatment so it’s really helpful for us to be able to offer some practical support to clients, and the vouchers have without a doubt relieved some of the stress associated with their diagnosis.”
With limited resources, and cancer diagnoses set to double in the next decade, it was important that client need was assessed so those who most need assistance received it, Craig said.
In the 2023/24 financial year, the Cancer Society Canterbury-West Coast assisted more than 3,200 clients and whānau during their cancer journey. They also drove patients to their treatment 4,500 times and provided families with almost 15,000 free nights’ accommodation at Canterbury Cancer Centre and Daffodil House in Dunedin while they underwent treatment. This figure is expected to more than double this year.
The recipients of the vouchers were extremely grateful to Foodstuffs South Island for their generosity – their feedback is below:
Naomi – “The vouchers have been such a big help. I’m a solo mum and I had to give up work after my diagnosis. It happened really fast. Basically, I was sent to hospital by my GP and was told the next day I was terminal.”
A week after Naomi was diagnosed, her father had a stroke. The chemotherapy, though prolonging her life, makes Naomi very ill.
“I feel nauseated, and I don’t really have an appetite a lot of the time. Then sometimes I feel hungry, but I don’t know what I want. The things I crave, I can’t afford – like grapes, orange juice, or the odd glass of wine.
“There’s little to no support in this country for people going through their cancer journey – I have $40 a week left over after bills. I was given nine weeks to live back in March. The vouchers have been a huge help, allowing me to buy the essentials but also a treat every now and then.
“I can’t tell you how much this generosity has meant to me. I’m so grateful to the Trust. This kindness just shows there’s people out there who do care.”
Amanda – “I am writing to say thanks to the Cancer Society for helping me and my kids. I have breast cancer and have to give up work while I have chemo because it’s making me so sick. It’s hard to get up every day, pay the bills and buy food. I’m now on a benefit with three kids. I never thought I’d be in a place where I’d have to ask for help. The vouchers I was given brought me to tears. That night, instead of the kids having a tin of spaghetti for the third night in a row, I could make us all a cottage pie filled with veges. I know this seems small, but it was the happiest night we’d had for a long time. Thank you with all my heart.”
Jill – the main earner for her family, was unable to work for about nine months while undergoing cancer treatment. “Some months, having an extra $50 towards the grocery bill helps to offset other costs such as school fees or activities for children.”
James – “We were able to give the children a treat and a special birthday dinner that we wouldn’t have been able to.”