Merge Cafe, a 'haven' for Auckland's homeless, faces closure without $60k boost

Monday, 8 March 2021

Homeless people’s brushes with the law often land them in jail. But is there a more humane way to deal with the problem? Judge Tony Fitzgerald thinks so.

A cafe that provides a lifeline for Auckland’s homeless community could be cut off if it can’t raise $60,000 by the end of the month.

Merge Cafe on Karangahape Rd, which is run by the Lifewise Trust, provides subsidised meals in a safe and supportive space for people who are homeless.

It's been slammed by Covid-19. Lifewise lost a major grants funder last year due to the pandemic. Fundraising events have been cancelled. Office workers who normally support the cafe’s pay-it-forward scheme are working from home.

All that means the cafe is running at a monthly loss of up to $13,000 – and it’s become unsustainable.

Merge Cafe manager Manu Kahlon says his regulars are worried about losing their community hub.

* When did Karangahape Road become so posh?

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Cafe manager Manu Kahlon said Monday’s shift was emotional, with many regulars scared they would lose their “haven” as they heard of the potential closure.

They aren't just worried about losing access to food, internet, and free tea and coffee, he said.

They’re scared of “losing the place they get so much dignity and respect”.

Merge Cafe has been hard hit by Covid – and the roadworks on K Rd haven't helped.

Some people have been coming in every day since the cafe opened in 2010, he said.

“It’s a home, a safe place where no-one judges them.”

Merge isn’t just for homeless people: it serves students, elderly people and others on a “shoestring budget”, as well as waged people who can choose to pay full price for their meals.

“It’s the only place you’ll see a homeless person, a student, an entrepreneur and an office worker eating at the same table,” Kahlon said.

But that hangs in the balance as the cafe tries to raise enough to ensure its survival.

Until the end of March, Lifewise has donors on board to match-fund donations – so if someone donates $10, that will be matched and $20 passed on to keep Merge Cafe running.

Kahlon said more people were coming into the cafe in need of support in the wake of Covid.

“I’m not a social worker but what I see from a bird’s eye view is a lot of people who have lost jobs, who are under financial strain.”

But he said he was feeling positive about the initial response to the fundraising campaign.

“We’re hopeful we can pull through.”