The Church has been a part of the local community for over 25 years and has a congregation of approximately 200 people. We have a full time pastoral care team: Lyndon & Angela Reiff. A group of 7 volunteers coordinate Out of the Box. WHY DO WE PROVIDE THIS SERVICE TO THE COMMUNITY? Food not only sustains it also connects people, removes isolation, reduces financial stress and encourages individuals and family units/relationships in a very practical way. This is a tangible way as a church and community at large we can support and encourage people who have hit rock bottom and don’t know where to go or in some cases what to do. WHAT ARE OUR POINTS OF DIFFERENCE? We operate on a nomination basis only. This ensures that we not only manage the resources we have well, but also ensures our generous parcels reach the right families. These parcels are substantially larger than other food parcel services: depending on the sizes of the families, the food parcel can be up to 5 full banana boxes. We aim to provide the catalyst that will reduce pressure on a larger scale, rather than providing just a stop gap measure. We have guidelines in place to ensure that families can only receive a certain number of food parcels over a period of 12 months, but ensure that they are referred to other agencies if their need is ongoing. We encourage those that put forward nominations to make the delivery, as they in most cases have the relationship. The recipients usually find their situation extremely humbling and appreciate their privacy being respected. WHERE DOES THE FOOD COME FROM? Local community who donate via the collection table outside New World
Mahurangi Vineyard Church members sponsor staple items and the church contributes towards items which do not have a sponsor. New World Warkworth generously donates credited items on a regular basis. HOW DOES THIS FOOD SERVICE OPERATE? Each year up to 40 families commit to donating a regular food item over 12 months (e.g toilet rolls, flour, honey etc) or make a regular donation to cover the costs of perishable items. (eg milk, cheese, fruit & vege, meat etc). Donated goods from all sources are collected and stored in a pantry within the church ‘factory’ building. Nominations are emailed to outoftheboxneed@gmail.com. The nominations list is prioritized weekly. Each Friday perishables are purchased and a ‘Full’ parcel is made up. Depending upon what has been donated, sometimes an additional ‘Extras’ parcels can also be put together. We do include a letter with each food parcel which acknowledges where the contributions have come from. Where possible, the nominators make the delivery to the family. WHAT SITUATIONS ARISE THAT REQUIRE A FOOD PARCEL? Situations vary but some are as follows:
· Illness/ Hospitalisation
· Redundancy/ Lack of work for self employed
· Marriage Breakups/ Death in family
· Single Parents struggling to make ends meet.
· Individuals fleeing violence.
· Crisis
WHERE DO THE NOMINATIONS COME FROM?
· Springboard Youth Community Trust
· Victim Support
· Police
· Waitemata Mental Health Unit – Nursing staff & counselors.
· CAP – Budgeting Service.
· Warkworth/Wellsford Budget Service Inc.
· Rodney Coast Midwifes/ Warkworth Birthing Unit
· Church members and members of the public looking out for those on need within our local community
