Marlborough Community Foodbank meets an increasing community need
The demand for assistance from the Marlborough Community Foodbank continues to grow as the rising cost of living hits the region's households.
The most vulnerable in the community were heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the foodbank give out more than 2000 food parcels in 2021 to Marlburians struggling to make ends meet. In 2022, demand increased dramatically for another 500 food parcels.
Marlborough Foodbank Manager, Wynnie Cosgrove, says that while the past year hasn’t resulted in the same spike in demand, the cost of living has ensured an increase in the need for the foodbank’s services.
“This past financial year, about 40% of food packages went to families with at least one person in full-time employment,” says Wynnie. “The pressure on people just to put food on the table for their whānau is significant.”
The foodbank’s annual street appeal in November has attracted up to 300 volunteers in the past, who collected about 1,000 boxes full of non-perishable food, usually enough to meet demand until the middle of the following year. Their most recent collection numbers have decreased partly due to the cost of the living crisis affecting those who would typically donate.
Support from Rātā Foundation is helping meet some of the costs associated with running the foodbank's busy delivery van, which picks up donated goods and delivers food parcels. The foodbank's premises have also been upgraded with heat pumps so that staff and volunteers can stay warm and continue to meet the growing need of the local community.
"Running the foodbank is not just about packing parcels," says Wynnie. "There are many other things involved, like sourcing enough food supply and getting funding for the running costs.
"We have a group of about 25 volunteers working throughout the week, and they pack parcels, do deliveries, sort inward goods.”
The foodbank works on client referrals, making it a centralised service for 47 member organisations in the Marlborough District, including Salvation Army, Maataa Waka, and Women's Refuge.
"These organisations refer their clients to us, and according to the size of the family, we pack the parcel," says Wynnie. "We deliver it to the organisation, and they distribute them to whānau."
Salvation Army Blenheim Corps Officer Captain Jacob Howan says the collaboration with the foodbank allows them to work more closely with people to address additional challenges they may face.
“Through the foodbank’s support, we at The Salvation Army can assist whānau in our community by meeting their immediate need, food,” Jacob says. “This opens the door for us to have further conversations around any additional areas they may need support in.”
Rātā Foundation Chief Executive, Leighton Evans, says the Marlborough Community Foodbank supports those most in need and ensures local families experiencing hardship have access to the necessities.
"The foodbank and its many volunteers are wrapping their arms around the local community in support of those who are facing significant barriers to accessing life’s essentials,” Leighton says.
“The organisation is not only meeting the need, but it is also strengthening the community through its network of volunteers and member organisations working together to connect people with the support they need when they need it most.”