Fears for the future coupled with pressures on limited income and resources, have contributed to the huge demand for food parcels for families living in every pocket of the Eastern Bay. With instant generosity philanthropic funders : Sir Stephen and Lady Margaret Tindall of The Tindall Foundation, leapt into action immediately, not only working with other like minded business people to secure plane loads of PPE to keep New Zealanders safe, but also providing funds to off set the first impacts of Covid-19 to the sectors of our communities with needs that were not being met via the response package announced by government in week 1 of Level 4 Lockdown. 

Research in our region indicated that the pressure to keep stocks flowing through the food banks was a high priority, and so to that end we recommended funds be allocated to Kawerau, Whakatane and Opotiki for this purpose. 

In Whakatane the Salvation Army has been making up breakfast meal packs for the homeless, without shelter, and providing food packs to the 30 families housed in emergency housing throughout the crisis. In Kawerau there has also been an increase in demand for food parcels, due to changes in employment status within the forestry sector, whilst Opotiki also grapples with those who are temporarily out of work, and finding it difficult to make ends meet. 

Our grateful thanks to the Tindall Foundation, making a real difference in the lives of families, trying to survive this health crisis and its economic impacts in our region.  

Our Vital Impact Fund is also accepting donations from the community to be shared with those who need our help.