The Salvation Army's Foodbank Project hits $1 million milestone but more donations needed

Monday, 3 June 2019

A bundle worth about $40 can be purchased online at The Foodbank Project.

Despite receiving $1 million worth of donations over four years, a charity says its shelves are still bare as it enters one of the toughest times of the year.

The Salvations Army's Foodbank Project recently hit the $1 million milestone but more items are needed to help keep up with demand, its community ministries head Jono Bell said.

The project, which also involves supermarket chain Countdown, began in 2015 and is an online shop where people can donate money to provide groceries to Kiwis in need.

It has 69 food bank hubs around the country where people can go to get what they need and last year it distributed 62,000 parcels.

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Donated items are delivered by Countdown staff to Foodbank Project's hubs around the country.

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The Salvation Army has a number of food banks across the city.

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Bell said he was shocked to see such low stock levels when he visited one of his local hubs recently.

West Auckland woman Andrea King has donated more than $4000 to The Foodbank Project.

'Just as quickly as [donations] come in, they go out,' he said.

'That food bank, over 50 per cent of it had empty shelves and I was shocked and realised how much more we need to do.'

A bundle, which costs about $20 to donate, includes sausages, mixed vegetables and potatoes.

Food in particular is in high demand.

'What we've found increasingly over the last three, four years with the housing crisis and the cost of accommodation is that the thing that is getting missed off for people is food,' Bell said,

With winter being a 'pinch point' for many people, more donations were needed to get people through it.

'Food poverty in Aotearoa is a big issue and it's got to be a collective response.'

West Auckland woman Andrea King has donated about $110 to the project every month for nearly four years.

'I've been very blessed in being able to put food on the table for myself and my friends and my family and it's about giving back and supporting those who can't for whatever reason,' King said.

'The little bit that I can do, I do want to do - I need to do.'

King has never needed help from a charity herself but growing up in Jamaica, she always helped others in need.

She said her donations go to whatever area has the greatest need. She donates whatever the most-needed food items are, as well as sanitary products for women.

Since the project launched, more than $410,000 has been donated to Auckland's four hubs.

The Royal Oak hub receives the most donations - receiving just over $85,000 worth of goods in 2018.

Bell said that was because Royal Oak was one of the pilot hubs and it remains one of the busiest.

It is also surrounded by wealthier communities who choose to donate, he said.

Data shows the most donated item for Auckland was canned spaghetti - with a total of 8324 cans donated.

People wanting to donate can do so online at The Foodbank Project They can also leave items at any Countdown store in the food rescue bins or donate money at the checkout.

People can apply to receive a parcel after a undergoing a means assessment at their local Foodbank project centre.