What We Do…

The Good Works Trust Food Security Hub supports vulnerable and hard to reach whanau by offering a “Hand Up” rather than a handout. Transitioning whanau from dependence on food parcels towards agency over their food supply - tino rangitiratanga. Improving mana and self reliance.  

Our hub provides crisis and emergency food parcels, operates a Social Supermarket, an annual Christmas Shopping program for vulnerable whanau - thanks to the generosity of the Lion Foundation, 60 school lunch kits a week to whanau across 8 North Shore schools not eligible for government funded lunches, and distributes resources to other community groups and organisations across the North Shore.

Crisis food parcels and access to the Social Supermarket require a referral from an agency or social worker budgeter or social support worker.

Sponsorship for lunch kits urgently sought - $1000 per week or $10,000 per term ...

Sponsorship for lunch kits urgently sought - $1000 per week or $10,000 per term ...

  • Crisis and Emergency Food Parcels

    The Good Works Trust delivers emergency food parcels across the North Shore to those in urgent need with no capacity to access food.

    By partnering with front-line agencies we know that recipients are not only in legitimate need, but are also accessing wrap-around professional support.

    Each parcel includes fresh produce, chilled and frozen foods, canned goods, bread, snacks and meats. We also provide toiletries, baby care items and accommodate special dietary requirements such as gluten free and vegetarian and non cooking or non perishable (suitable for those with no address or limited facilities).

  • Christmas with Dignity thanks to Lion Foundation

    Thanks to the Lion Foundation the Christmas Shop has been running in its present form for nearly a decade, with the Good Works Trust teaming up with Te Puna Hauora and many other agencies to outwork the GWT vision of “Strengthening Communities – Creating Hope”.

    In December 2023 we were able to support and transform Christmas for over 220 families, capping a year which highlighted the effects of extensive flooding on the Shore and the escalating cost of living crisis resulting in increasing need for those most vulnerable.

  • School Lunch Kits

    Only one North Shore school receives Government Funded lunches. We supply around 58 kits per week containing basic lunch ingredients. They’re distributed across 8 schools and preschools with more schools hoping to access the support.

    Providing the kit instead of a school meal is less stigmatising. Our School lunch kits have also helped whanau to avoid reaching the point of needing emergency kai, reducing dependency on emergency food grants or food parcels.

    Lunch kits currently cost approximately $8000 per term to provide. We are seeking sponsors to help keep this project going. If we don’t feed these hungry kids, no one else currently will. If you are interested in what sponsorship might look like please talk to us.

  • Social Supermarket "GWT Grocery"

    Social supermarkets are an alternative to emergency food parcels with the aim of reducing food insecurity and dependency. Offering a more dignified experience, clients contribute a “within their means koha (donation)” and the Social Supermarket bridges the gap between need and sufficiency.
    Using a combination of purchased, donated and rescued food our “Grocery” offers food at substantially discounted prices to individuals and families wanting a “hand up” not a hand-out. The GWT Grocery is available to clients via an agency or social worker referral.
    Clients use an online order form to select their groceries, they pay their koha and collect their order from their chosen collection point on Wednesdays. Want to get involved?

FROM OUR PARTNERS

The service has been a life saver for my clients and as social worker, I am very grateful for the efficient and professional service I have received from GWT.Thank you so much. Maureen Sakey -Social Worker, Barnardos

The GWT food bank has been an important resources to access for some of my clients. Their quick service and ability to deliver has greatly helped those in need while ensuring clinical hours are not taken up by unnecessary travel. Laura Davies, RN, Adult Community Mental Health Services North.

Our whanau were all very grateful to receive your wonderful support yet again.  You all do an amazing job!  Kia kaha, kia maia, kia manawanui. Joanna Fifita  Community Services Team Administrator, Te Puna Hauora o Te Raki Paewhenua

Knowing that our services can call on you to support our clients when they are at their most vulnerable is a blessing.  What I find most positive are questions that relate to special needs of clients, rather than assumptions being made on their needs. Having food parcels delivered to clients’ homes is a god send – so many of our clients are not in a position to collect and once again, it shows me how client focused your precious service is. Chris Frew, Social Worker, North Shore Women’s Centre

LUNCH KIT RESULTS

The lunch kits have eased pressure for parents/caregivers while maintaining their self-determination in being able to prepare their child's lunch themselves and decide what goes in the lunchbox. The teachers have noticed a general improvement in learning engagement from students who often went without lunch prior to receiving these lunch kits.  Trixi Pavey,Kaiārahi | Programme Lead,Beach Haven House/Birkdale Beach Haven Community Project

"The lunch bags that I pick up on Monday's are greatly appreciated by our families. I try to spread them around. We have a growing number of families who need a little 'hand up', especially since COVID. Receiving a lunch bag means that some of these children can bring lunch to school for a few days without having to feel embarrassed about going to the office every day for food. The bags make a huge difference" - Trudi Storm, Beach Haven Primary

"This support is getting to where it needs to be, the tamariki, whānau, teachers, school and wider community all benefit from it" Birkdale North School

"We've been getting the lunch packs since it's started and it's really helped our whānau in need, and there's always someone in need. It has also occasionally helped our Kaimahi to feed their whānau when they are struggling too." Annette Whetu, Kohanga Reo

Good Works Trust Food Bank

DIGNITY IN RECEIVING

The shop is a one day annual event in mid-December that provides an opportunity for some of the most disadvantaged in our community to exercise tino rangatiratanga over the food that nourishes their whanau at Christmas.

The Good Works Trust Food team work in close partnership with kairahi from Te Puna Hauora and other agencies to select a range of popular and affordable foods for clients to choose from. The shop allows clients to choose their own kai at a price they can actually afford, reducing dependency on food banks and emergency food grants.

How it works…

Clients are referred by their support worker well in advance and agree to contribute a small koha within their means $25-$30 as an example. The Christmas Shop then subsides the client so their koha returns vastly more in food than it's actual dollar value - usually in the region of $150 - $180.

Help make a difference…

Operating now for over a decade, it takes a large team of volunteers and generous sponsors to bring Christmas Shop together. Supported by the social workers and agencies we partner with, Christmas Shop makes a tangible difference to whanau. If you want to make a difference with the get in touch with us to help, donate or sponsor.

Christmas Shop