Charity eases hunger
ANelson charity that provides free nutritious dinners for people in need has started offering meals in Stoke on Monday nights. Food for Families was set up by former Christchurch man Martin Reading and his family last year.
It uses surplus donated food to produce and cook the meals.
Martin said the charity took its new caravan, donated by Nelson man Avon Wastney, to Orchard St on Monday for the first time and was overwhelmed by the response.
They were told to expect about 40 people, and were thinking maybe 15 to 20 might turn up.
He said they fed about 55 people, including a lot of children.
Martin said it was evident people in that area were really, really struggling.
‘‘Next week we will probably cook for 80. I would be surprised if we come back with anything. It’s like going somewhere where they have just had a flood.’’
Food for Families was set up last year and currently runs a free community dinner at Victory Community Centre on Friday nights.
A steady 50 to 60 people attend that dinner, which has expanded into the community hall.
The charity feeds families in Tahunanui on Tuesday nights. It has grown to feed about 25 people – includ- ing young families.
He said the charity had grown in the year it had been running, highlighting the level of need in the community.
His family was moving from the Motueka Valley to Nelson and would be living in Victory Square area.
He said that would cut out hours of travelling time a day.
‘‘Two hours is a waste of time when you could be chopping more vegetables.’’
Food for Families is looking for donations of food and money to pay for the basic ingredients it needs.
Contact Martin on 021 051 5664 or foodforfamiliesnz@gmail.com. See foodforfamilies.org.nz.