The Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust has approved funding for community organisations helping South Islanders through the challenges of winter.
At its most recent meeting, the Trust approved 12 applications, providing a total of NZD 50,533 to charities and community groups supporting families and children. across the South Island.
The grants support a range of initiatives, from school lunches and breakfast programmes to food pantries and access to essential baby items.
Among the organisations receiving funding are:
- Kete Kai (Hokitika) – to help provide school lunches for children in need.
- Pregnancy Help Dunedin – to support vulnerable families with essentials such as nappies, formula and baby food.
- Heart Kids New Zealand – to provide grocery vouchers for South Island families returning home from Starship Hospital after their child's surgery.
- Ellesmere College Breakfast Club – to provide breakfast foods and essential personal hygiene products for students.
- Rachel’s House Trust (North Canterbury) – in supermarket vouchers to support its Food Pantry and Kai Box Service for families experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity.
- Tamai Sports (East Christchurch) – to purchase food for its sports programme, helping remove barriers to participation for local children.
Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust Chairperson, Lucy Boock, said winter can be one of the most difficult times of the year for many households.
"These organisations are providing critical services which make a real difference in their communities. This funding helps them continue to provide support where it's needed most," said Boock.
The Trust meets four times each year and invites applications for any qualifying initiatives, regardless of the need's size.
The latest grants reflect the Trust’s ongoing commitment to increase community access to healthy food, reduce hardship for individuals and communities and provide emergency relief for community organisations during crisis events.
The Trust next meets on the 25th of August, with applications closing on the 11th of August.
