Food parcels from St Vincent de Paul have been enthusiastically welcomed by schools and communities in Kaikohe, Northland.

Thank you so much for your ongoing support for our vulnerable whanau, says Rene Hapeta, Nga puhi Iwi social worker in schools.  

“As a school we try to support our families as best we can. The food St Vincent de Paul has provided has made a huge difference to our tamariki and their ability to learn.”

The St Vincent de Paul food parcels have been distributed to many needy families in the community. The parcels contained essential food commodities such as potatoes, cabbage, apples, onions, carrots, rice and pasta, chicken and sausages, porridge,  baked beans, sweet corn, fish,  fruit,  tea, sugar, long life milk bread and a spread. 

On some occasions packets of sandwiches have also been provided to the schools.

The circumstances of disadvantaged families vary greatly. In one case, grandparents are raising their eight grandchildren, aged from three years to 14.  

“To those responsible for the kai parcel, thank you so much for your generosity and support. We are a one-income whānau and this has been a huge help for us all. Our mokopuna are grateful that they are able to eat a good meal.” 

Another family reports great excitement when the food arrived. 

“Thank you so much for the kai. The kids are all excited we have food and I can feel a huge weight lifting off my shoulders. They asked where we got it from and I told them that it came from caring people in Whangarei.”

And this from another family:

“The whānau literally ran out and took the kai as I was lifting it out of the van. I could see the tears welling up in their mother’s eyes as she stood at her front door, mouthing the words ‘thank you’.”

In the Northland community unemployment and redundancies are a major cause of deprivation. 

“Thank you, thank you, thank you to your team who thought of me and my whānau during these challenging and stressful times,” says a mother of four whose husband has been made redundant.  “Nga mihi kia koutou katoa.”

From grandparents to children, the arrival of a St Vincent de Paul food parcel is cause for celebration. 

“Thank you so much for your awhi,” say the grandparents who are raising four mokopuna. “it is times like these you know who your friends are.”

“ The children were happy to see the kai parcel, they reckon there is enough food now for everyone to eat and mum is not going to growl.”