The cost of food has gone up 8.4% in the last three years[1] ΜΆ a bigger rise than the general Consumers Price Index.
The high cost of food is reflected in the figures for child poverty that are being widely discussed as part of the election campaigns[2].
“How do people manage?” asks Stephanie McIntyre, Director of Downtown Community Ministry. “We know that it’s a real struggle for some because of those who come to the DCM foodbank – and it’s the same for other foodbanks in Wellington.”
“That’s why we’re asking DCM supporters and all Wellingtonians to contribute to the Food Appeal this coming Saturday, 19 November, organised by Wellington Foodbank Coalition members to replenish their stocks of food.”
The Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) foodbank is almost empty. We’ve seen a 44% increase in the number of food parcels given out in the first quarter of this year, compared to the same quarter in 2010.
“The situation is dire, we’re seeing a huge increase in the number of people we’re supporting even though our foodbank is only open 2 afternoons a week”, says Stephanie McIntye, director of DCM.
The Rugby World Cup’s impact has spread to the Downtown Community Ministry (DCM) Bookfair.
“With Rugby World Cup fever hitting Wellington in September, the Bookfair has been shifted to the much earlier date of July 23-24 to fit in with this event,” says Jennifer Stewart, communications and events coordinator at DCM.
“Collection bins will be dropped off at locations around the city early next week marking the start to another busy and exciting bookfair period”, says Jennifer.
Food supplies at Downtown Community Ministry’s Foodbank are struggling to cope with the record number of people seeking assistance.
Over 40 people received food parcels on Monday in one of the busiest afternoons the Foodbank has known.
At 1:30pm when the Foodbank opened 20 people were waiting to be interviewed for food assistance.
“Despite generous support for the Foodbank this year, our shelves are once again empty with demand totally exceeding supply,” says DCM Director Stephanie McIntyre.
More food is desperately needed to meet the demand.
Wellington summer? No, it’s an appeal to help DCM purchase a new freezer for the FoodBank.
Last Friday, the large chest freezer which has served us well for over 15 years finally died. We’re now down to just one freezer and haven’t got enough space to freeze all the food donations that come in.
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