KiwiHarvest Central Lakes
winter food campaign
Campaign Overview
100 Trolleys Filled = 100 Upcycled Planter Packages
Our winter campaign addresses the immediate need for food and takes steps towards creating longer term food resilience within the community.
This winter many families are going to face significant financial challenges. Some individuals and families in our communities will be struggling to keep a roof over their head and heating on. Food (especially nutritious food) can become secondary when these immediate needs of shelter and warmth aren’t met. This takes a massive toll on physical and mental health and in turn, on our community as a whole.
Right now, KiwiHarvest Queenstown is supporting over 760 people every week with food through our recipient charities across Queenstown, Wanaka and Cromwell.
With the pressure of rising mortgage rates, rent increases, petrol, energy and food cost increase, many hard-working locals will be stretched beyond breaking point, and find themselves, for the first time ever, having to ask for help. We want to be able to provide this help.
Thank you to our campaign partners
How to access food support locally
Please understand, if you are struggling to provide food for yourself or your family - you are not alone.
These are extraordinary times and over 760 locals across the Central Otago region every week are accessing food support in some form. The below organisations are open for absolutely everyone to access, so if you are in need of food support - please reach out.
If you are under the age of seventeen, please get in touch with your local Youth Trust who can help you access food support including; Whakatipu Youth Trust (Queenstown), Kahu Youth Trust (Wanaka), Cromwell Youth Trust.
Food Support organisations
Queenstown
Te Whare Hauora ki Tahuna
Days Food Available: Monday.
Location: Engage Safety Drive Through Area, 18 Glenda Drive, Frankton.
Time: 12pm - 4pm, first come first served basis.
Food Set Up: Mini shop style. Drive/walk through. Full range of foodstuffs and some household items can be available.
How to access: Just turn up on the day.
For further information:
Call: 03 442 3682
Email: debbie@engagesafety.co.nz
The Salvation Army
Days Food Available: Tuesday or Wednesday.
Location: Upstairs at Salvation Army, 71 Gorge Road, CBD.
Time: 1pm to 2pm- first come first served basis.
Food Set Up: Mini shop style. Full range of foodstuffs and some household items can be available.
How to access: Just turn up on either day.
To Note: Limited to one bag per person and one day attending per week.
For further information:
Call: 03 442 9661
Baskets of Blessings
Days Food Available: Homemade ready to eat meal and grocery hampers delivered on Thursdays each week.
Location: Delivered to individual addresses. Recipient nominations made through their website: www.basketsofblessing.co.nz
Time: Deliveries occur over a Thursday afternoon.
Food Set Up: A grocery hamper or homemade ready to eat meals hamper will be supplied depending on the nomination.
How to access: Recipients must be nominated and nominations can be made through their website: www.basketsofblessing.co.nz . Nominations are totally confidential and can be made at any time.
To Note: Each recipient/address can be nominated just once per year.
For further information and to register:
Website: www.basketsofblessings.co.nz
Email: info@basketsofblessing.co.nz
Happiness House
Days Food Available: Friday.
Location: 4 Park Street, Queenstown CBD.
Time: 11:30am to 3pm.
Food Set Up: Mini shop style. Full range of food stuff and some toiletry items can be available.
How to access: Email or call to complete registration at least 24 hours before attending.
To Note: Recipients must complete application before attending.
For further information and to register:
Call: 03 442 6531
Email: info@happinesshouse.co.nz
Wanaka
Community Networks Foodbank
Foodbank open: Monday 1-4pm Wednesday 11am-2pm, Friday 10am-2pm.
Location: Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street, Wanaka.
Food Set Up: Mini supermarket style. Full range of produce normally available.
How to access: You can email, phone or go to our website to contact us .Or alternatively you can come in to the Wanaka Community Hub to complete a registration form and select food from a prepared shopping list of items available.
For further information and to register:
Call: 03 443 7799
Email: foodbank@communitynetworks.co.nz
Website: www.communitynetworks.co.nz
Food For Love
Days Food Available: Homemade meal hampers delivered during the week.
Location: Delivered to nominee addresses.
Food Set Up: Hamper of home cooked meals.
How to access: Recipients must be nominated and nominations can be made through their website: www.foodforlovewanaka.com. Nominations are totally confidential and can be made at any time.
For further information and to nominate:
Website: www.foodforlovewanaka.com
Call: 027 222 9230
Email: food@foodforlovewanaka.com
Cromwell
Cromwell Food Bank
Days Food Available: Food parcels delivered Monday to Friday.
Location: Delivered to individual addresses.
Time: Requests received after 1pm will be processed the following day.
Food Set Up: A mixed grocery hamper will be supplied.
How to access: Recipients must register through Cromwell Community House.
To Note: Three self-referrals included before agency referrals required.
For further information and to register:
Pop In: Cromwell Community House, 5 Murray Terrace, Cromwell 10am - 4pm Mon - Fri.
Phone: 03 445 1690
how to support the campaign
This unique campaign has already brought together so many dedicated locals of all ages, industries and backgrounds. With the help of our community, we can take steps towards longer term food resilience within our communities.
We have three ways in which locals can support those struggling and also get behind the amazing local volunteers and charities working on the frontline.
1. Food Donations
From the 3rd May 2023, KiwiHarvest will have trolleys located at the entrance across major supermarkets in the region where the community can make food donations and bring any excess food from their pantry. For every trolley filled our campaign partners will create one upcycled customised raised planter package (up to 100 in total) for locals in the community, distributed through our charity partners in the lead up to Spring.
Unique elements of our customised planter package include:
- Upcycled from local waste (pallets, plastic drums etc)
- The frame is designed to fit in the back of a car so can be easily moved
- Self-watering reservoirs built into planter
- Local compost utilising food scraps from the charities themselves
- Complete package supplied including seeds, netting, custom maintenance manual and recipes
2. financial donations
Our Give A Little page is now live and all funds raised will be split amongst the charities listed below ensuring they can increase food supply and capabilities to meet demand. Any amount you can contribute will help us reach our goal of $50,000.
Baskets of Blessings
Community Networks Food Bank
Cromwell Youth Trust
Food For Love I
Happiness House
Kahu Youth Trust
KiwiHarvest Central Lakes
Salvation Army
Te Whare Hauora ki Tahuna
Whakatipu Youth Trust
3. Volunteering
If you would like to get hands on and be part of the amazing mahi to improve food support in our community then check out our volunteering opportunities below.
Recipient Charities we Partner with in Central Otago:
Queenstown
Baskets of Blessings I Happiness House I Queenstown Playcentre
The Salvation Army I Te Whare Hauora ki Tahuna I Whakatipu Youth Trust
Wanaka
Community Networks Food Bank I Food For Love I Kahu Youth Trust
Cromwell
Cromwell Food Bank I Cromwell Youth Trust
KiwiHarvest Queenstown Volunteer Opportunities
Queenstown Rescue: Join a KiwiHarvest staff member in their truck and help collect rescued food from local food donors in the Frankton area. Help sort food and assist with dropping off deliveries to local charities. Will need to be able to lift 20kg comfortably.
Time: Mon-Fri 8am-12pm, 2-4 hrs (depending on availability).
Location: 4/156 Glenda Drive, Frankton, Queenstown 9300.
Training: Training provided on the first shift.
Volunteers required: Up to 10, to be able to have 1 volunteer per day M-F, and have a week on week off roster.
Wanaka Rescue: Drive your own vehicle around a predetermined route of our food donors (supermarkets) in Wanaka and sort and collect rescued food. Drop off the food to local recipient charity partners. You will need your own vehicle (small cars cannot accommodate the volume of food involved).
Time: Collections are every other Friday start anytime 11am-12pm, round takes 2 hrs. Can be fortnightly, or monthly depending on # of volunteers.
Location: Wanaka
Training: Training provided on Tuesday run with KiwiHarvest staff member, after which volunteer will operate independently on Fridays.
Volunteers required: Ideally 2, so each volunteer has 1 shift every 4 weeks
Queenstown CBD Rescue Rider: Ride the KiwiHarvest E-bike and trailer and collect excess cabinet food from Queenstown CBD partner cafes and drop the food off to partner charities in the CBD before returning the E-bike to its storage location. Must be able to ride a bike comfortably. (Also accepting EOIs for Frankton riders to be recruited in Spring 2023).
Time: Mon, Wed, Fri 1.5hrs (mid-morning), as per your availability, pick a minimum of 1 shift per week.
Location: Queenstown CBD (collect bike from KiwiHarvest Queenstown Branch).
Training: Training will be provided prior to your first shift when you collect the e-bike and trailer.
Volunteers required: Ideally 6, so shifts can be rotated fortnightly.
Accepting EOIs for Wanaka e-bike rescue riders (role launching Spr 2023): Ride the KiwiHarvest E-bike and trailer and collect rescued cabinet food from Wanaka partner cafes and drop the food off to partner charities in town before returning the E-bike to its storage location. Must be able to ride a bike comfortably.
Time: Mon, Wed, Fri 2hrs (mid-morning), as per your availability, pick a minimum of 1 shift per week.
Location: Wanaka.
Training: Training will be provided prior to your first shift when you collect the e-bike and trailer.
Volunteers required: Ideally 6, so shifts can be rotated fortnightly.
Queenstown Recipient Agency Volunteering Opportunities
Te Whare Hauora ki Tahuna
Collection Centre Assistant: Pack and sort kai packages, greet and assist whānau with collection, collect data through surveys. Suits someone who is able to relate to all ages and cultures, non-judgemental, patient and caring, with a good understanding of confidentiality. Staff will be available for support at all times.
Time: Monday 10am-6pm, 2-6 hr shifts (depending on your availability to cover).
Location: Engage Safety Drive Through Area, 18 Glenda Drive, Frankton.
Training: Induction provided on the first shift. Must complete Privacy Commissioners on-line training - 4 free online certificates (30 mins each). Option to complete Food Safety Certificate (cost covered).
Volunteers required: Centre can be covered by 1-2 volunteers at a time.
Contact Name: Debbie Swan-Rewi
Call: 027 442 3624
The Salvation Army
Community Pantry Helpers: Stocking shelves, weighing donated goods, setting up our community pantry, rotating our foodbank stock.
Time: Tuesday 10am-2pm, Wednesday 10am-2pm, choose shift day and length per your flexibility.
Location: 71 71 Gorge Road, Queenstown 9300. Family Store.
Training: Training can be provided on the job during volunteer hours.
Volunteers required: 1 per day working alongside our team.
Contact Name: Andrew Wilson
Call: 027 276 7811
Email: queenstown.corps@salvationarmy.org.nz, andrew.wilson@salvationarmy.org.nz
Baskets of Blessings
All-rounder crew: Sort and portion incoming produce and rescued food. Help with cooking processes, packing and labeling finished meals. Anyone is welcome in this happy environment where the goal is to be productive, efficient, and positive to be able to help as many people as possible. All that's needed is a 'can do' attitude!
Time: Mondays 10am-1:30pm, Thursday 10am-2:30pm. Volunteers welcome for as long and as often as they are available for.
Location: St Johns Presbyterian Church, Arrowtown.
Training: No training required. All skills welcome, and duties will be assigned accordingly.
Volunteer Required: Mondays 8-12, Thursdays 20-30 (to assist with dispatching meals).
Contact: Lee Nicolson
Call: 021 957 203
Website: www.basketsofblessings.co.nz
Email: info@basketsofblessing.co.nz
Happiness House
Food Package Assembly Crew:
Setting up/pack down, carrying food in from the truck, unpacking, displaying food market style. Deconstructing cardboard boxes. Greet customers warmly. Help customers receive their food boxes. Direct people to leftovers for rescue. Distribute leftovers to Patāka Kai and hostel as required. Requirements: Must be 18+ years, friendly and respectful, able to lift boxes and be on your feet for a couple of hours.
Time: Friday 10-12pm, 2-4pm.
Location: 4 Park Street, Queenstown CBD.
Training: No training required. Process will be explained on the day.
Volunteer Required: 1-2.
Contact: Steph Burbridge and/or Léna Boss
Call: 03 442 6531
Email: info@happinesshouse.co.nz
Whakatipu Youth Trust
Group Activity Assistant: Hang out with youth, prepare food, play games, and engage in meaningful activities as part of one or more of our programmes. Ideal for someone who has an interest in supporting youth and is a positive, outgoing person with good communication skills. Honest, reliable, responsible trustworthy. Must be over 18 years and pass a police check.
Time: 1 session during weekdays 3pm-5.30pm, 1 session a fortnight Thursday 5.30pm-8pm. During school holidays be available for 1 activity (times and days will vary but one week day for roughly 3-5 hours).
Location: 4/15 Red Oaks Drive Frankton.
Training: Online trainings to complete in own time, 3-5 hrs. 1 hr induction prior to first shift, plus on the job ongoing training/induction.
Volunteer Required: 1 per session, how many sessions volunteers do is up to their availability.
Contact: Lee-Ann McKenzie
Call: 022 163 6472
Email: lee-ann@whakatipuyouthtrust.org.nz
Website: www.whakatipuyouthtrust.org.nz