Woolworths New Zealand is donating an additional $1.5 million to its food rescue and food welfare partners to support those Kiwis most affected by the cost of living and climate crises.
With the demand for food support by Kiwi families at an all-time high, Woolworths New Zealand is providing further donations, via its Food for Good Foundation, to its charity partners working on the frontline, including KidsCan, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch City Missions and The Salvation Army.
It will also support KiwiHarvest and Woolworths' other food rescue partners dealing with a sharp rise in community need and being impacted by their funding shortfalls.
"2023 has been incredibly tough for many New Zealanders," said Spencer Sonn, Woolworths New Zealand's Managing Director.
"The sustained cost of living crisis coupled with the devastating weather impacts to critical food growing regions in the North Island, including many homes and livelihoods, mean that more of our communities are in dire need of support."
Sonn continued that Woolworths are immediately investing in hunger relief to boost organisations providing emergency food support. This will deliver thousands of additional meals and food bank items to support those most in need today.
Spencer Sonn
In addition, Woolworths will invest in its partner food rescue organisations to continue their essential work of diverting surplus food to those most in need.
In the last financial year, Woolworths New Zealand contributed over $12m in food and funds to the food rescue sector and local community organisations.
The announcement starts the new financial year with a $1.5 million boost to the business community contributions.
The Salvation Army's National Director of Community Ministries, Jono Bell, said it faced a 41 percent increase in people requiring food support this year.
"People are doing it tough in communities around the country. The cost of living increases and utility costs are all compounding the issue, and we know that buying kai is one of the first things people go without. This generous donation from Woolworths New Zealand will go to our frontline centres to purchase kai to pass on to those that need it most," said Bell.
KidsCan CEO and founder Julie Chapman added that the funding has come at a critical time.
Chapman explained that the cost of living crisis significantly impacted struggling families, so this generous donation from Woolworths New Zealand would make a difference to the children KidsCan supports, particularly those under five years old. $75,000 allows the charity to support 125 preschoolers, around four kindergartens, with food, shoes and clothing for a whole year.
Woolworths New Zealand has long supported KidsCan's early childhood programme. Chapman said the supermarket recognised the importance of feeding young children nutritious food from the beginning of their lives.
"Their trucks are always welcome at our partner centres as they deliver fresh, healthy food every week. Teachers tell us our meals mean children are happier, more settled, and have more energy for playing and learning," said Chapman.
"We couldn't deliver this programme without Woolworths New Zealand's continued support."
Woolworths New Zealand's additional donation is part of Woolworths Group's increased funding for hunger relief across Australia and New Zealand to help meet the growing need on both sides of the Tasman.
