Get ‘n’ Give celebrate one year of help
A Marton organisation that aims to alleviate poverty in Rangitikei is celebrating its first birthday.
Get ‘n’ Give provides emergency assistance in the form of clothing, furniture and food to disadvantaged residents in Rangitikei.
Founder Belinda HarveyLarsen was inspired to start the concept during the fallout of the 2015 floods in Whanganui. While lending a hand she saw residents exchange goods for other goods without using money.
She liked the philosophy they had - like a barter system where neighbours could take things they needed without exchanging cash.
‘‘I saw a gap in Marton that needed to be filled.’’
That gap gave rise to Get ‘n’ Give, which is effectively a recyclable barter service.
People leave an item at the shop’s hut and can take what they desire.
‘‘It’s usually anything they can no longer use in their house. The classic example would be children who have grown out of their clothes or a bassinet,’’ HarveyLarsen said.
The organisation is comprised of 12 volunteers, aged between 23 to 93.
The team didn’t limit their service to Marton, Harvey-Larsen said. They had taken furniture to Taihape, Hunterville, Whanganui and also kitted out a flat in Palmerston North.
‘‘We get a lot of requests to furnish homes [for] families that may have lost their homes to fires or have had to move for some reason.’’
Marton’s increasing population had also created a housing shortage presenting the community with its latest struggle, Harvey-Larsen said.
The Get ‘n’ Give team had also helped struggling families find homes.
‘‘I see it being needed for many years yet,’’ she said. ‘‘It’s going from strength to strength. It’s not just clothes and furniture. We’re here to help anyone.’’
To mark their first birthday, volunteers held a sausage sizzle outside Marton New World.