Recent news
Mobile Van Project ‘FullFill’ and Loaves & Fishes Project launched in Hamilton
Friday, 13 June 2008
The Society of St Vincent de Paul in Hamilton has successfully launched two new projects, “FullFill” a mobile van. with a mix of trained volunteers visiting various suburbs in the evenings, and “Loaves and Fishes”, providing lunches in schools with follow-up courses for the families.
Both these projects have been trialled in Tauranga where they are now successfully operational.
About The Mobile Van Project ‘FullFill’
A van visits the suburbs, each on a different night of the week. Ostensibly the van will be handing out free nutritious snacks and drinks to help recipients’ budgets stretch a little further. However, as well as providing assistance in the short term, this is really just a tool, a ‘way in’, to help make contact with people, build relationships and trust. This will in turn help with the sharing of problems and being able to put people in touch with the right social services to help with these problems. Other major benefits will be increased confidence and awareness of lifestyle options for the children as many children do not have enough positive things said to them, have scant knowledge of options for their lives and do not get to mix with many people beyond their community. Additionally there will be increased community networking and self help. For the volunteers there is to be gained the chance to mix with other sectors of society thereby helping understanding on many levels.
The van will follow a set route, one for each day of the week, with designated stops along this route and the same volunteers rostered for each route so as to enhance the building of relationships.
Why
Statistics (from official published reports, available on request) indicate, as a generalisation, that;
Maori/Pacific are more likely to earn less, not own their own home, have more children, live in lower Decile school areas and be living in overcrowded situations. Children in lower-socio economic situations also have less positive feedback and re-enforcement which has long term negative effects on neural function. Children in these families often have limited life experiences and perceived life options. Additionally many of these people do not seek the help that they need or may be entitled to.
These families will be our target beneficiaries.
From the Social Report 2007 produced by the Ministry of Social Development’ the ‘Desired Outcomes’ of ‘Social Connectedness’ are;
People enjoy constructive relationships with others in their families, whānau, communities, iwi and workplaces. Families support and nurture those in need of care. New Zealand is an inclusive society where people are able to access information and support.
This Project fits as part of the answer to the MSD’s desired outcomes.
About Loaves and Fishes
The aim of this project is to provide lunches, as a temporary measure, free of charge, to children, whose families are experiencing a period of difficulty. It is not intended as a service because a child has forgotten to bring his or her lunch, has decided to eat it on their way to school or a parent has merely decided not to make a lunch that day. Its aim is to provide a ‘hand-up’, rather than a ‘hand-out’. The lunches will be coupled with various free educational courses for the parents. The parents and courses will be matched to provide the best help for the family circumstances.
Why
There is a large body of evidence that shows the behavioural improvement in children that are well fed. There are also many statistics showing how many children are coming to school without breakfast and/or lunch. Assisting the parents to get involved in making their child’s lunches may help other areas in their family life.
Full project proposals, verifying statistics, expected community benefits and outcomes are available for further information.
Contact details for this news item
Contact: Anne-Marie McCarten