Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust gives $350,000 for food support as need extends beyond Christmas

Christmas is a time of giving, but for many people and families, the hardest times are in January. That’s why the Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust has pledged $350,000 to support 31 community organisations working to ease food insecurity across the region.

The Trust’s funding comes from locally owned New World, PAK’nSAVE, and Four Square store owners who are members of the Foodstuffs South Island co-op, along with contributions from Foodstuffs South Island team members. It’s one way our people show they’re all about backing support and care for the communities we’re part of.

Lucy Boock, the Trust’s Chair and owner operator of PAK’nSAVE Papanui, says the timing is deliberate.

“We know organisations all around the South Island are working tirelessly to make sure their communities have a good Christmas. But the need doesn’t stop when the decorations come down. This donation is about taking the pressure off our incredible community partners so they can keep providing relief into January and beyond.”

Corinne Haines, CEO Christchurch City Mission

 One of the largest recipients, Christchurch City Mission, received $64,000. CEO Corinne Haines says the support will help keep foodbank shelves stocked when the holiday season ends:

“We’ll be making enough food parcels for 1,600 people over the Christmas period, but Christmas is just one day of the year. It’s in January hardship can really hit. It just takes one thing to go wrong - a car breaking down, or the loss of an income - and suddenly the ability to buy food disappears. This donation will help us to keep helping families when times get tough.”

Nigel Ogilvie, Chair of Hokitika Community Trust.

On the West Coast, the Hokitika Community Trust received $6,000. Chair Nigel Ogilvie says the funds will help locals who need a hand with groceries after the festive season:

“We raise funds all year round and go all out to make Christmas a really joyful time for our community, but we know the bills don’t stop in January. This donation means we can keep providing food support to communities on the West Coast well into the new year.”

Organisations will have the flexibility to choose how they receive the funds - either as credit at Foodstuffs South Island wholesaler Trents, PAK’nSAVE, New World or Four Square stores, or through gift cards for PAK’nSAVE, New World or Four Square.

Watch the video below to see Christchurch City Mission's volunteers in action, sorting donations to ease the load for thousands of people this Christmas