ImPACT sTORIES

At Happiness House, we meet people in all stages of struggle. One solo mother of five, facing soaring rent and no access to childcare, walks a tightrope each day, stretching every dollar, every hour, just to get by. There’s no neat ending to her story. But through the support of KiwiHarvest, we’re able to offer her something vital: a breath of relief. With weekly deliveries of fresh food, we’ve created a space where she, and many others can choose what they need without judgement.

It’s not just about groceries. It’s about dignity, connection, and restoring a sense of normalcy. People pick their own food, like anyone would. It’s real life, not charity. As she puts it: “The food I get from Happiness House allows me to be more present as a mum, because I don’t need to worry about putting food on the table for my kids.” KiwiHarvest helps us lighten an unbearable load, if only for a while. And sometimes, that’s enough to carry someone through.

One of our valued recipient agencies, Island Child Charitable Trust, shared the impact our food deliveries have had on their organisation and the families they serve: “On behalf of everyone at Island Child Charitable Trust, I would like to extend our deepest gratitude for your generous and ongoing support through your KiwiHarvest free rescue food delivery service. Your commitment to reducing food waste while simultaneously addressing food insecurity has had a meaningful impact on our organisation and, more importantly, on the lives of the individuals and families we support.

Thanks to your weekly deliveries, we have been able to provide nutritious meals to 85 persons daily in our Transitional House who might otherwise go without. In the past year we received 25,272kgs of nutritious food. This equates to approximately 56,160 meals and has a dollar value of $174,882.

By receiving this vital food support, we have been able to redirect valuable funding towards other critical services such as housing support, educational programmes, and nutrition and cooking skills which further strengthens the outcomes for our whānau. The quality and consistency of the food you rescue and deliver not only meet essential needs but also send a message of care and dignity to whānau facing difficult times.

We are proud to partner with a company that demonstrates such a strong sense of social responsibility. Your efforts help build a stronger, more compassionate community, and we are incredibly thankful for your support. There is no dollar value which can be put on good nutrition and food security. Thank you KiwiHarvest, what an incredible service you deliver!” This partnership is just one example of how rescued food creates ripple effects far beyond the plate, helping build hope, resilience, and brighter futures.

In July, KiwiHarvest had the privilege of supporting the NZ Police Community Youth Aid division in South Dunedin, providing urgent relief to a family of five in crisis. When police visited the home, they were met with a heartbreaking reality, bare cupboards, no fresh food, and the weight of daily survival clearly visible. Sadly, this isn’t an uncommon sight. For families already navigating incredibly tough circumstances, the absence of basic food supplies adds another layer of stress, anxiety, and hopelessness.

We responded immediately, supplying over 80 kilograms of nourishing food, from groceries and fresh produce to meat and vegetables. For the family, it was more than just a box of food; it was a sign that someone cared. Cameron, the local Youth Aid officer, shared that both he and the family were deeply moved and humbled by the generosity shown. This kind of support doesn’t just fill a fridge, it restores dignity, helps rebuild trust, and creates space for people like Cameron to do their vital work without the added burden of addressing hunger. Thanks to this timely intervention, the family is now back on track, free from the immediate worry of where their next meal will come from and filled with gratitude for the support they received in a moment of true need.

As the Director at Murihiku Young Parents Centre I feel very privileged to have KiwiHarvest partnering with us as our Young Mums (who are mostly solo mums living alone with their child) really appreciate having nutritious, fresh and healthy food.

There is never any food left over after it is dropped off as the girls appreciate everything that is given to them. “It really helps me with my budget (as a solo Mum) and my son is trying lots of new foods that are healthy for him. It is great to be supported with this food as we all really need it. It has made a huge difference to us.

Thank you.” Chakara Thank you for making this food available for our girls and their babies, it has continued to make such a difference for them especially with all the increasing costs they have.