Coronavirus: Auckland City Mission faces 175% rise in demand for food parcels

Sunday, 9 August 2020

Between March and June, Auckland City Mission has seen a 175 per cent increase in the need for food parcels compared with the same period last year.

A leading charity has seen a staggering 175 per cent increase in demand for food parcels this winter as the fallout of coronavirus continues to be felt by Kiwi families.

Before the pandemic, Auckland City Mission was distributing 450 parcels a week to families and individuals who could not otherwise put food on the table. Over lockdown, this rose to more than 1200.

Food parcels, such as these pictured at the Wellington City Mission, have been in record demand this winter.

The need has continued, with about 1000 parcels – each with enough food to provide four days of meals to a family-of-four – currently being distributed each week.

Between March and June, demand was at a record 175 per cent higher than the same period last year.

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Auckland City Missioner Chris Farrelly said food insecurity has been a major concern of the Mission for some time. (File photo)

On Monday, the Mission launched its winter fundraising campaign to help families in urgent need of support, highlighting some of the hard choices many have to make.

City Missioner Chris Farrelly said food insecurity has been a major concern for the Mission for a number of years, with inadequate income levels a main contributing factor.

Volunteers at KidsCan have packed a record number of food parcels for schools going back after Covid-19 lockdown. (Video first published in July 2020)

Covid-19 exacerbated these insecurities, he said.

Every day, the Mission sees families having to decide between doctors’ visits, bus fare, the power bill or food for the kids, he said.

“More than often, food becomes the discretionary item.”

Farrelly said the Mission has been seeing a mix of new and existing clients needing its assistance in response to Covid-19.

Many have lost their jobs or have had their hours significantly reduced.

“All of a sudden they find themselves not being able to make ends meet, and they are turning to the Mission for assistance,” he said.

According to research by the Mission, 10 per cent of New Zealanders were in 'food poverty' – unable to access reliable, nutritious food on a daily basis – before the crisis hit.

Lockdown saw a number of charities such as the Mission swamped by demand.

In April, the Salvation Army reported a 95 per cent surge in demand for services during Alert Level 4.

Farrelly anticipated the Mission will need to continue meeting this increased demand for many months, particularly as the true economic fallout when the wage subsidy ends on September 1 is yet to be felt.

This year’s campaign will see TV and digital ads highlighting some of these difficult choices some families visiting the Mission face.

Money raised will help the Mission provide parcels of food and other household items to families in need.