Auckland City Mission Desperate for Financial Support

The Mission started distributing Christmas emergency food parcels and gifts on the 7th of December and up to 300 families came to their Hobson Street Drop-in Centre for assistance each day last week – a total of 1,500 families last week alone.

Auckland City Missioner, Dame Diane Robertson, says the Mission has seen a steady increase in the number of families needing emergency food assistance over the past few years, and not just in December.

“Child Poverty New Zealand figures released today shows child poverty has increased steadily over the last decade and this information is reflected in our own data,” says Dame Diane. “For instance, the Mission distributed 1,673 emergency food parcels from September to November, 2013. This year, over the same period, we distributed 2,306. That’s a 28% increase. A third of the families requiring assistance are asking for the first time, which shows the desperation there is in the community.”

She says that while December is the Mission’s busiest time of year in terms of providing assistance to families, it is also a crucial period for raising the funding necessary to operate its essential social services throughout the year.

“Financial donations have been worryingly low and with Christmas now only 10 days away we urgently need financial assistance to support families. Donations in December help assist families not only over Christmas but also in the difficult few months at the start of year when we also experience high demand. We would be grateful if those who have not already contributed would consider making a financial donation, of any size to our Christmas Appeal.”

Year-round, the Mission provides a low-cost medical care service, drug & alcohol rehabilitation programme, outreach support for rough sleepers and isolated elderly people, emergency food support Auckland-wide, an activities programme and community centre for central Auckland’s homeless population, as well as a Crisis Care service for low-income individuals and families. These services rely on public donations to operate.

Donations can be made online at becomesomeonesangel.co.nz or by phoning (09) 303 9200

ENDS

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