Making a difference with just one meal
After months of ‘‘hard yakka’’ Wellington food rescue charity Kaibosh is settling into some new digs on Hopper St – just in time to launch its biggest annual fundraiser.
Make A Meal In May returns next month, urging family, friends or workmates to get together, share food and donate to Kaibosh what they would otherwise have spent on a meal out.
‘‘It’s really an opportunity for Wellingtonians to support our work in a fun way with the funds raised all going into our central operating costs, general manager Matt Dagger says.
‘‘Throw a party or simply have a meal – It’s all about the sharing of food together which is an amazing thing.’’
For every $20 donated, Kaibosh is able to provide 20 meals to those in our community who need it most.
‘‘It’s becoming part of Wellington’s annual event calendar. So this year we’ve got Trade Me making a meal for 300 staff members, Mayor Justin Lester is signed on, so is the BizDojo, and lots more.’’
Dagger’s enthusiasm for the initiative is compounded by the fact that, for the first time in the 18 months since the 2016 Kaiko¯ ura earthquake, the charity has a permanent city home.
Kaibosh’s Wellington branch was evacuated from its Tennyson St building following the earthquake. Initially, the team worked out of a pop-up at the Wellington City Mission before moving into a temporary building on Myrtle Crescent.
While it’s been an unsettled period, Dagger says the support from volunteers, food and financial donors has been amazing.
‘‘It’s been a trying time but we’ve focused on continuing to provide quality surplus food to people in need, which we’ve managed to do.
‘‘We’ve worked really hard to maintain the service and while it’s really stretched us at times, we’ve got through that now so it’s about moving forward.’’
He is anticipating continued growth for the charity this year with the new facility playing a ‘‘big part in that.’’
The food rescue charity is an integral part of the new Hopper Street community enterprise hub which is slowly being built up on site.
While the May fundraising campaign is Dagger and his team’s main focus, 2018 also marks the 10th anniversary of Kaibosh; a milestone they’ll be celebrating in style come October.
‘‘We’ve been successful because of the generosity of the wider Wellington community. Issues of food waste and food insecurity are still pertinent. We need help to continue our service as we enter this new chapter.’’
●➤ For more information on Make A Meal In May, visit: kaibosh.org.nz