When Katikati residents hear the fire siren screaming on their street next Tuesday evening, the callout will be to collect donations for the town’s foodbank.

Katikati’s annual Emergency Services Foodbank Drive will begin 6.30pm on December 2, with people from a range of emergency services – from the volunteer fire brigade, NZ Police, Red Cross to St John – wandering the streets to collect donations.

Katikati Christian Foodbank manager Sue Spriggens said her team of volunteers had given out more than 1300 food parcels so far this year, which had helped feed about 4500 people.

“This represents a 9% increase on last year’s parcel tally and the demand is consistently moving upwards,” Spriggens said.

As a result, the cost of keeping the foodbank stocked was increasing significantly, Spriggens said.

“Already this year more than $36,000 has been spent on food, just for the basic parcels. We also rely on Food Rescue food and donations of food from week to week.”

More than 100 weekly

The foodbank gives out roughly 30-35 parcels per week.

“But that number doesn’t show the clear picture,” Spriggens said. “It’s the number of people we give to that does. It’s usually over 100 people that we’re feeding weekly because some parcels are for a five-person family or more.”

As a result, she’s appealing to the community to give generously to the Emergency Services Foodbank Drive on Tuesday night.

People can meet emergency services personnel at the end of their driveway to gift food, which will be delivered to the foodbank for sorting and storing by volunteers.

“To benefit us most, we really need items that make up our basic parcels – such as rice, pasta, cereals, tinned food, baby food, nappies, toiletries – but we need everything.”

Spriggens said the donations would offset the foodbank’s grocery bill because it buys items for parcels when they are short. “We’ll take anything – as long as it’s non-perishable and in date. And if you don’t have items to donate, you can donate cash on the night.”

For those not able to give on Tuesday, there is a donation trolley on-site 24/7 by the checkouts at Katikati Woolworths.

“Donations can also be dropped off at the foodbank – we’re at 2 Wedgewood St behind the Baptist church – open on weekdays from 10.30am to midday,” Spriggens said.

“People can also drop off any excess fresh fruit and produce too. Especially at this time of year when people’s garden’s thrive, any surplus would be much appreciated.”

The foodbank has a community garden on Waterford Rd, which volunteers harvest each Monday – but more produce is always welcomed.

Housing

Spriggens, who has been part of the foodbank since 2020, had never seen a dip in demand. “I think one of the main factors [for people needing food parcels] is housing. It’s so expensive for people to get into a house now.

“This year we’ve seen a big increase in the number of homeless people living in their cars in Katikati.”

Spriggens said for many people – including families with both parents working, and the elderly – the bulk of their income goes towards rent or paying housing costs. “Rents are horrendous – $500 per week is common and a lot of our people are paying over that [amount weekly].”

She said people no longer have savings to buffer them from emergency costs either. “So if they have a huge expense with a car – which doesn’t take much, even just new tyres – it can throw them. They don’t earn enough anymore to have anything saved up for an unplanned expense.”

Very grateful

What does she see when people receive a food parcel? “Lots of tears – I tell my volunteers that their aim is not just to give food but make people feel better when they leave.

“We often have people stand at the door and you have to coax them in – they’ve never had to ask for food before.

“People are very grateful, relieved and happy – and, like I say, we see a lot of tears. It’s really humbling. You see somebody’s whole demeanour change because they’ve been given some food … It’s a bit of a learning curve for some of the volunteers even.”

Ahead of the foodbank drive, Spriggens thanked everyone in advance for their donations.

“The Katikati Christian Foodbank is very grateful for the support it has received for a number of years, from this food drive.”

To find out more, phone 027 203 7373 or email: katikatifoodbank@gmail.com