Meal milestone for charity
The women at Bellyful had a special reason to celebrate on Saturday – the cooking of their 1000th meal.
The charity’s members get together monthly and make meals for mums with new babies and families struggling with illness.
Bellyful has been going nationwide since 2009 but started in Porirua in May last year.
In the past 11 months they have fundraised $ 12,000 to pay for cooking supplies, renting freezers, printing and renting a room at Pember House, and distributed meals to 143 Porirua families.
More than 20 volunteers keep the diners coming out of their Pember House base, co-ordinator Tracie Lane says.
‘‘It’s been working really well and we’ve found the community and local businesses very generous have been great. Demand has definitely grown.’’
Z Mana – who gave them $5000 to get started – Mad Butcher, Scene@ Plimmerton, Bunnings and Tony’s Tyre Service are among the organisations which offer them ‘‘wonderful support’’, Ms Lane says.
The team sticks to a tried and true menu of macaroni cheese, spaghetti bolognaise and lasagna – all tasty, cheap meals volunteers can easily cook in bulk and store.
On May 16 they have a first birthday fundraiser at Light House Pauatahanui cinema. Salmon Fishing in Yemen is the featured movie and the $25 cost gets you a glass of wine, goodie bag and a ticket to raffles. Contact tracie.lane@bellyful.org.nz.