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Rātū 19 Tīhema 2023 Tuesday 19 December 2023
End of an era PAGE 3
National Big Giving to the community champ break this festive season Santa’s Salvation PAGE 5
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WILLIAM WOODWORTH
william@topsouthmedia.co.nz
Hundreds of donated presents have turned Salvation Army’s Blenheim headquarters into Santa’s Grotto – with some help from kind-hearted locals. Families who need an extra bit of help to make Christmas special benefited from generous donations to make this the season of giving. Blenheim Salvation Army Corps staff helped spread Christmas cheer to children of all ages and their families, bringing a touch of sparkle andparcels magic to festive season. Marlborough Community Foodbank volunteers have been hard at work on the leadup to Christmas packing forthe famThe presents are the result of a huge collective ilies in need across the region. Photo: William Woodworth effort by many different local organisations who collected gifts for the special project. things there just isn’t enough once we’ve “At least 40% of the food parcels we put AMY RUSS Significant present collections came courtesy paid the mortgage, petrol to get to work together go to families where one or of Roadhouse Breakfast, Kmart, and general There would hardly be anyone who hasn’t and basics like power to be able to buy both parents are working,” says Wynnie donations from members of the public. had to rely on others for help at some enough food each week for our family,” Cosgrove, manager of the Marlborough Grotto visitor Katie Shortland says she is deCommunity Foodbank. stage in their lives and right now in New says Anaru. lighted to have had some help bringing holiZealand thousands of people are relying “There just isn’t enough money left over Wynnie started out as a volunteer at the day joy to her home. foodbank in 2006. on foodbanks to keep them and their after each pay day for what we need.” “Technically I’m not sure my kids would get families fed. Miriam* is in her late seventies has also “It has grown substantially since those Christmas presents or dinner this year, and Sam* is in his mid-thirties. Always a had to ask for the occasional food parcel. early days because the need is now so without the Salvation Army there’s lots of famhard worker, he has had a series of health “My rates were so high I had to downsize great,” she says. ilies in the same situation across the region,” problems and has temporarily had to give to a flat,” she says, selling her home of for- Aside from herself and two part-time she says. staff, the service is able to operate thanks ty-two years. up work while he recovers. Salvation Army Major Philip surrounded for some to at least forty willing volunteers. “I have never had to rely on anyone forSergeant “It’s been a real shockJeffs to say I need helpby aspresents of Marlborough’s children in Santa’s Grotto. Photo: William Woodworth. I’ve always been so independent and able “We couldn’t do this without theMore volun- on page 2 help,” he says. “My rent has gone sky high and for the first time in my life I’ve had to get a parcel from the foodbank. It was a really hard thing to admit I needed help.” Tom* and Anaru* are both working fulltime and have three children at secondary school. “No matter how much we skimp on
to look after myself.” Hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders are in that position right now, struggling to balance increased costs of almost everything and the need in the Marlborough Region is as great as anywhere else. Food poverty does not distinguish between those working or not working.
teers and all the organisations and businesses that support us,” says Wynnie. “There is so much to do from sorting donated goods, dating the products as they come in and packing the orders to go out. CONTINUES ON BACK
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