MEDIA RELEASE
20 December 2004

Families In Dire Need One Week Before Christmas

Hundreds of families are seeking the assistance of the Auckland City Mission’s food bank in the lead up to Christmas. The unseasonably cold weather is making it even more difficult this year.

Every day we are seeing families who are struggling on a daily basis to provide their children with adequate food and clothing.

The stress they face at Christmas in unbelievable. We see many parents in tears as they come seeking assistance from the Mission. Every family who has no entitlements from Work and Income is assisted with a food parcel which contains basic food items.

Each year we provide a little extra in the food parcels, a chicken, Christmas cake, mince pies, chocolates and soft drinks. This gives families the opportunity to have a Christmas dinner.

Every child who comes to the Mission receives a new Christmas present. “The relief and joy on the faces of the parents as they receive their food and presents is amazing to witness” says Auckland City Missioner, Diane Robertson. “All children should be able to experience some of the joy of Christmas – regardless of their parent’s circumstances”

The Auckland City Mission desperately needs food for families:
All non perishable items,
Chickens,
Christmas Cakes,
Chocolates,
Sweets,
and new presents – particularly for teenagers.
New unwrapped presents can be dropped off at participating Post Shops and libraries or 140 Hobson Street

Ends

About Auckland City Mission

The Auckland City Mission has been working with marginalised people for over 80 years. Services include an Inner-City Drop-In Centre, Crisis Care, an Emergency Food Programme, Drug and Alcohol Services, housing support, and Herne Bay House - a residential service for people living with HIV and AIDS. The Auckland City Mission's Food-Link programme also distributes food to over 75 other community support organizations from Mercer to Cape Reinga.

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