Charity launches Drive-Through Christmas Foodbank

Visionwest has launched a drive-through so food parcels can be given contactless. Photo: Visionwest

A new Christmas food parcel distribution model designed to meet COVID restrictions is also helping to preserve the dignity of whanau, according to organisers.

Thousands of vulnerable Kiwis are set to benefit from the new model that will see food and toy parcels distributed via a contactless drive-through model.

West Auckland charity Visionwest Waka Whakakitenga, which helps create pathways for vulnerable whanau to rise out of poverty, says their research shows a surge in COVID-related financial hardship is also placing a strain on the mental health of many Kiwis.

Brook Turner, head of community service development at Visionwest, says the new model was trialled last year as a precaution during lower COVID alert levels with a survey showing the in-vehicle delivery process was preferred by almost all respondents.

“We know that before COVID, around 10% of whanau we supported with food parcels were due to financial hardship and now with the impact of the lockdown this has increased to around 60%.

“The impact of this strain on household finances will peak over the Christmas period with many whanau facing poverty for the first time in their lives.

“Helping to preserve the dignity of this segment of the community during this time is critical in helping them get back on their feet. 

“The contactless model works by having a team of volunteers place food parcels inside the car boot in a drive-through. When we asked those in the trial, how it compares to coming into our cafe, having some Christmas food, or a BBQ and 90 percent said they prefer the in-vehicle model.

“The feedback has been that many are facing their first Christmas in years without a job, or who have been recently evicted and may even have their largest ever debt burden – by providing a contactless service we can help preserve their self-worth when they approach a support service like ours,” said Turner.

You can donate here to help the charity buy essential food to fill empty fridges and pantries, so families have enough of the basics to get through Christmas. There is also the option to pay for a Christmas dinner of roast chicken or buy gifts for kids.