Foodbank filling a demand

When NZ went into Covid- 19 Lockdown at the end of March Martinborough had not long established a Food Bank (at the end of January 2020) to sit alongside WaiWaste Food Rescue which had been operating in the Martinborough community for almost two years in partnership with P & K. The Food Bank works closely with the Masterton Food Bank and, along with  WaiWaste, is co-ordinated by May and Peter Croft.

A few things have changed for Martinborough WaiWaste and Food Bank over the last few months. The number of households registered with the Food Bank has increased by 400% from seven to twenty eight households. These households represent over 100 people.

 As the numbers grew the Food Bank team realised pretty quickly that they could no longer operate out of a storage cupboard at St Andrews Church Hall. They were already spilling over into the hall itself. They knew that once Covid receded the hall would be used by a number of groups and so they began the search for a new home. 

The Masonic Lodge answered the call and offered a new home in their building rent free.  The The big shift took place in June.  The Lodge allows enough space for shelving, fridges, freezers, long tables for packing boxes and a pick up area.  A huge thanks to the Masonic Lodge! 

The support from the Martinborough community has been truly amazing.  “It’s great”, the coordinators say, “that our community can pull together to look after its own.  It truly is a team effort”. 

There have been so many generous offers of help and donations and discounts that it has been possible to give generous weekly food boxes including fresh fruit and veges. Infact some people specifically donate to make sure fruit and veges are included in the boxes and some make monthly payments to the Food Bank by direct credit.

A big shout out to The Ministry of Social Development, St Andrews Church, the Masonic Lodge, Conor and the Pain & Kershaw team, Pinehaven Orchard, Breadcraft, Henergy Eggs, The Offering Café Greytown, The Masterton Food Bank, the Martinborough Community Board, Martin the Lock Smith, Bruce and B & L  Construction, Craig the Electrician, the Wairarapa Building Society, Martinborough Lions Club, and Reach House Community Masterton. All of these along with several families, individual donors, and our wonderful volunteers have made the Food Bank service to our community possible.  

The Food Bank qualifies for funding from the Ministry of Social Development which has been well received particularly as the future is unknown in terms of how long it will take for the economy to recover and employment return to a level that allows for most people to meet their regular commitments.

In the meantime it’s a privilege for our team May, Peter, Susannah, Tim, Jen, Anne, Jacinda, Katherine and Rhona, representing the Martinborough community to help make sure everyone has food on the table.

Here’s how you can help:                                                                                                                                            There’s a basket in P & K where you can make donations of non- perishable goods.                                              You can make a donation directly into the Martinborough Food Bank Account.                                                       ANZ 01-0505-0422831-53                                                                                                                                                                             If you know a household who could do with a Food Box contact May (021)657560.

May Croft