At a time of year when we lean to excess, help those who help others.
LOVE SOUP A not-for-profit with a food rescue plan; collecting good food that would either be dumped or given to farmers and providing free, health-focussed meals for the elderly, families and children. They distribute food to organisations that give to those in need. Love Soup serves in Tokoroa and Rotorua and successfully help over 1000 people a week. lovesoup.org.nz/about
FOODBANK NZ An incorporated not-for-profit that provides an online directory of local foodbanks that families in need can contact for a food parcel. They also provide assistance to foodbanks by purchasing additional food to restock their pantry. foodbank.co.nz
AUCKLAND CITY MISSION There are thousands in the community who require a little assistance from time to time and there are hundreds of smaller community groups who work to help these people. To assist these community groups, the Mission receives bulk food donations, splits them and distributes them to community food banks between Thames and Kaitaia. Foodlink regularly supplies food to around 50 food banks and community groups across the region. aucklandcitymission. org.nz/what-we-do/foodlink
EVERYBODY EATS Simultaneously tackling the problems of food waste and hunger. They serve restaurant-quality, three-course meals, prepared by volunteer chefs from perfectly good food that would otherwise go to waste. Meals are served at shared tables by a team of volunteers to guests from all walks of life, including the homeless, elderly or persons suffering mental health or substance-abuse problems – everybody is welcome. Customers pay whatever they like, from large donations to nothing at all. everybodyeats.nz/our-mission
BELLYFUL Providing meals for families with newborn babies and families with young children who are struggling with illness. bellyful.org.nz
KIWIHARVEST Collecting quality surplus fresh food from food growers, manufacturers, wholesalers and retail food businesses and delivering it to those who need it most. 100% of the food rescued is distributed, free of charge, to community groups and social-service agencies and shared with people in need. kiwiharvest.org.nz
KAIBOSH Many in our community rely on drop-in centres, food banks and a range of other services to meet their most basic daily food requirements. Without Kaibosh’s assistance collecting donations of quality surplus food from businesses and delivering it to where it’s needed, these services would have to spend time and money sourcing food for their clients, even though thousands of kilograms of quality surplus food are thrown away every day. kaibosh.org.nz
FAIR FOOD NZ Collecting good fit-to-eat food from primary producers and retailers that would otherwise go to landfill, and redistributing it free of charge to people who struggle to put food on the table. fairfood.org.nz
SALVATION ARMY Needs no further introduction… salvationarmy.org.nz/help-us/food-banks
THE FOODBANK PROJECT A not-for-profit online shop that makes it easy for anyone to donate groceries to Kiwis in need. Donors choose from a range of products that are critically needed for food parcels including fresh produce, meat and dairy, pantry staples, as well as personal care and cleaning items. Countdown then pack your order along with others received from your community and deliver it to the nearest Salvation Army foodbank hub to include in their food parcels. foodbank.org.nz
KIWI COMMUNITY ASSISTANCE Helping communities throughout Wellington by rescuing surplus food and household goods and redistributing it to frontline agencies working directly with people in need. kca.org.nz
KAIVOLUTION A Hamilton-based food-rescue service. goeco.org.nz
JUST ZILCH Palmerston North’s free store for those who sometimes need a little help. justzilch.org.nz
WAIWASTE Masterton’s food-rescue service. facebook.com/waiwaste