19 May 2016
For immediate release

Will you accept the challenge to raise funds or food for the Brown Paper Bag Appeal?

The Wellington City Mission has issued a challenge to the people of Greater Wellington: can you raise funds or food for the annual Brown Paper Bag Appeal?

Running from 20 May – 30 June, this vital appeal ensures The Mission’s Foodbank and Drop-in Centre services can continue helping people in need. These services are particularly essential during the winter months when the added expenses of heating, clothing, food and healthcare can be crippling to low income families and individuals.

“The Mission’s annual Brown Paper Bag appeal is one of the ways to boost our supplies of winter food for Drop-in Centre meals, food parcels and lunches for the students at Mission for Youth,” explains Wellington City Mission CEO, Michelle Branney. “This food, along with monetary donations, is essential to help the people who come to us, often in distress and in need of skilled assistance, advice and advocacy.”

The first chance to get involved with this appeal is at The Wellington Food Show which runs from 20 – 22 May at Westpac Stadium. It’s The Mission’s second year as the charity partner of The Food Show, but this time they’ll also be launching the Brown Paper Bag Appeal at this event! People can donate by cash, eftpos, or by purchasing an Entertainment Book at The Mission’s booth over the weekend, and everyone who donates will win! Prizes include items from the generous Food Show vendors.

This year The Mission has also launched a brand new way for workplaces and groups to get involved: the Brown Paper Bag Challenge! Participants can simply choose if they want to raise funds or food (“The Money or The Bag”) then challenge their colleagues/class mates/sports team to reach a target. Contact enquiries@wgtncitymission.org.nz if you’re keen to register for the Challenge!

Alongside these new ways of getting involved, people can show their support through a simple donation of money or food items. Look out for a return-addressed donation envelope and our iconic Brown Paper Bag inside Thursday9 June’s Dominion Post. People can also donate online at any time onwellingtoncitymission.org.nz, or by dropping any shopping bag of non-perishable food items at participating Z service stations.

Whichever way people choose to contribute, every dollar and food item donated to the Brown Paper Bag Appeal will make a difference in the lives of others. Every $4 raised in this appeal provides one healthy, nourishing meal serving in the Drop-in Centre, while every bag filled with food items supplements a struggling family’s groceries for one week.

Last year The Mission provided over 3,000 food parcels from our Foodbank and over 25,000 servings in our Drop-in Centre. Our Budgeting Advice service enabled people to pay back over $107,000 in debt!

For more information, please visit www.wellingtoncitymission.org.nz

ENDS

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