PAK’nSAVE Blenheim: backing locals every day

From theatres and sports fields to food parcels for families under pressure, PAK’nSAVE Blenheim has been backing its local community every day.

Across Aotearoa, locally owned PAK’nSAVE operators contributed $4.2 million last year to local charities and organisations as part of their HereforNZ commitment to support communities, people and the environment. Stores also donated the equivalent of more than 1.5 million meals to food rescue organisations and food banks nationwide.

In Marlborough, PAK'nSAVE Blenheim owner-operators Mark Elkington and Andrea Boock say community involvement is simply part of the job.

Built 13 years ago, the store employs around 200 people and supports more than 100 local groups annually through the PAK Gives Back programme.

PAK’nSAVE Blenheim store team members

Mark and Andrea have lived locally for 25 years. Andrea is a third-generation grocer, and with four children, their connections run through schools, sports clubs and the local theatre community.

“Sometimes it’s a big commitment, sometimes it’s small – but it all adds up,” Mark says.

Supporting big dreams

One long-term partnership is with Inspire Marlborough, a charitable trust providing grants and mentoring to young people pursuing ambitions in sport, the arts and education.

Chair Mark Davis says the organisation distributes between $80,000 and $100,000 annually, with PAK’nSAVE Blenheim the main sponsor.

“We give young people opportunities they may not otherwise have,” he says. “When they first receive a grant and stand up to speak in front of 200 people, you can see the confidence grow.”

Inspire Marlborough grant recipient Scott Keay

Grant recipients such as local water polo player Scott Keay have represented New Zealand internationally in rowing, football and water polo, and one young composer’s work has even been performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

“It’s not all gold medals. People face setbacks, and that’s why wrapping support around them matters.”

Keeping the arts accessible

Creative programmes are another focus. Through its support of ASB Theatre Marlborough, PAK’nSAVE Blenheim helps enable discounted access for local users, keeping productions affordable.

PAK’nSAVE Blenheim store manager Matthew Coxall and Rise Academy founder Alison Dight

Rise Academy founder Alison Dight says her performing arts school has grown from six students rehearsing at home to around 100 within two years.

“If we didn’t have that local users’ discount, there’s absolutely no way we could afford to put these shows on,” she says. “Without that support, the cost for the kids would be through the roof.”

Beyond performance, students gain exposure to professional theatre production, lighting, sound and stagecraft, often opening unexpected opportunities.

Responding to community need

Not only has PAK’nSAVE Blenheim supported young people across the region – they’ve also supported immediate need.

Demand at the Marlborough Community Foodbank has grown sharply. Last year, the foodbank prepared around 2,900 parcels, supporting around 8,500 people.

Marlborough Community Foodbank manager Wynnie Cosgrove

“When I first started, we were doing about 10 parcels a week. Now we’re doing 15 to 20 a day,” says manager Wynnie Cosgrove, who has been involved for nearly 20 years.

More than 40 per cent of households seeking assistance are in full or part-time employment.

“We’re seeing more working families who simply can’t make ends meet,” she says.

PAK’nSAVE Blenheim supports the foodbank through bulk food purchases, direct funding and, at Christmas, $10,000 in gift vouchers, enabling volunteers to tailor parcels to families’ specific needs.

Investing in people

For Elkington, community impact extends inside the store as well. Many of the 200 staff are aged 15 to 17 and in their first jobs, gaining workplace experience and life skills.

“You see them come through here for a couple of years, then head off to university or a trade,” he says.

Some go on to build long-term careers within the business, completing apprenticeships in butchery or bakery, progressing into store management, and even becoming store owners themselves.

Elkington is clear that community investment never comes at the expense of customers.

“It doesn’t affect our prices at all. We make sure the prices are low first, and then we create our budgets from there. If we’re doing well, we can share that with the community.

“There’s a huge amount of satisfaction in knowing you’ve played a small part in helping someone along the way,” he says. “If you can’t give back, then what’s the point?”

Similar PAK Gives Back commitments are made by locally owned PAK’nSAVE operators across New Zealand.