Gift of giving carries on

Sharing is a life lesson Waitangirua’s Jasmine Taankink has taken to heart.

The mother of three runs the Porirua Koha Shed, inviting visitors to donate and take as many items as they require.

Housed in a garage on Waihora Cres, the Koha Shed has helped many families since its creation more than a year ago.

‘‘It saves a lot of people a lot of money,’’ Ms Taankink said.

‘‘It just shows that there’s enough for everybody if we share.’’

The idea began on a Whanganuibased Facebook page where people offered free goods they no longer needed.

A similar Facebook page was set up in Porirua in August 2012, and within a fortnight had enough response to open a real shed, where people could give and take freely according to need.

‘‘It doesn’t matter how rich or poor you are,’’ Ms Taankink said. ‘‘It’s for everybody.’’ The free items include books, board games, clothes, household items, tools, furniture, crafts and more, Ms Taankink said.

‘‘ We had a heated towel rail brought in the other day. We’ve had a piano, a playhouse and swingset.’’

Larger items are listed on the group’s Facebook page so interested takers can pick them up directly.

Ms Taankink has also created a Facebook page called Free Kai – Porirua, for sharing unneeded food.

If residents have unwanted items or fruit trees that need picking, they can list them on the Facebook page for interested takers to collect, she said.

‘‘There’s a lot of food that goes to waste, I’ve noticed, around Porirua,’’ she said.

The Porirua Koha Shed is open 10am till 3pm weekdays and Thursdays 10am till dark at 43 Waihora Cres, Waitangirua.

For more information visit the Porirua Koha Shed and Free Kai – Porirua Facebook pages.