Between 10 and 15 new clients each week are reaching out to the Gisborne Community Care Foodbank for support as the coronavirus crisis continues to impact people’s finances.
Gisborne Community Care Foodbank secretary Julie Ireland said about 100 clients are visiting the foodbank each month, but it is preparing for that number to increase.
Ms Ireland said she expects more people to seek help as unemployment figures rise.
“It is difficult for people to ask for help…I think a lot of people don’t want to ask for help,” she said.
“But we are here to help. Everything is very confidential… I think that is very important.”
In order to adhere to social distancing regulations, the foodbank has been forced to reduce the number of volunteers helping out to just three. It has also put a stop to walk-ins.
“We try to get people to make an appointment to help keep the numbers safe,” Ms Ireland said.
“We are trying to encourage people to let us do no-contact delivery where possible”
Ms Ireland said community donations were helping ease the burden on the foodbank.
The organisation has donation bins at Coles, Foodworks and Liberty Health and Happiness in Gisborne, as well as at the Macedon Post Office.
It also receives donations of vegetables from the gardens of Macedon residents.
“The community support has just been phenomenal,” she said.
“I go to Foodworks or Coles every week and the containers are full. We get a lot of cash donations as well.”
To contact the foodbank, call 0492 850 520.
Laura Michell
