Our work
Food, company and practical help for anyone in town who is going without, every week of the year.
What we do every week
Five programmes, who each one is for, and when you can find us.
Programme
Who it helps
When and where
Food parcels
Three days of food, chosen with you, plus toiletries when you need them.
Who it helps
Anyone in town who is short of food this week. No referral needed for a first visit.
When and where
Tuesday and Thursday 10:00–14:00, Saturday 9:00–12:00, at the centre
Community lunch
A hot two-course meal at one long table, cooked by volunteers.
Who it helps
Everyone: older neighbours, families, people living on their own. Pay what you can.
When and where
Wednesday and Friday 12:00–13:30
Home deliveries
Our van brings a weekly parcel, and the driver stays for a short chat.
Who it helps
People who cannot get to us because of illness, disability or caring at home.
When and where
Monday and Thursday rounds across town
Holiday meals for children
Lunch and an activity morning when school kitchens are closed.
Who it helps
Children who get free school meals in term time, and their brothers and sisters.
When and where
School holidays, weekdays 11:00–13:00
Advice desk
Help with bills, forms and benefits, and a warm handover to other local services.
Who it helps
Anyone worried about money, housing or what to do next.
When and where
Thursday 10:00–13:00, no appointment needed
Sample programmes and times.
Where your money goes
Every dollar we received last year, split the way it was spent. Sample figures for the year to March.
Programmes 82¢
Food, the community lunches, the delivery van, holiday meals and the advice desk.
Support costs 11¢
Rent, heating, insurance, the phone line and the yearly check of our accounts.
Fundraising 7¢
Event costs, printing and the card fees on online gifts.
Money in
Gifts from individuals
$186,400
Grants from trusts and foundations
$121,000
Local businesses
$48,600
Events
$31,200
Total in
$387,200
Money out
Programmes
$317,500
Support costs
$42,600
Fundraising
$27,100
Total out
$387,200
Sample figures, not real accounts.
This week at the centre
The same every week, except on public holidays. Sunday is closed.
Example timetable.
Volunteer with us
Most of the work here is done by volunteers, which is why most of the money reaches the kitchen. You do not need any experience: this is how to start.
1
Choose a role and a time
Packing, cooking, driving, the front desk or the advice desk. Mornings, evenings or Saturdays.
2
Come to a welcome session
Forty-five minutes on a Monday evening: a tour, food safety basics and how we welcome everyone who comes in.
3
Do your first shift with a buddy
You work next to an experienced volunteer until you feel ready on your own.
4
Keep a regular slot
Weekly, monthly or whenever you can. You pick your shifts on the rota.
Volunteers are 16 and over, or 12 and over with an adult (example policy). Groups and company teams are welcome on Saturdays.
Questions people ask
Cannot find your answer? Call us or drop by during opening times.
Will I get a receipt for my donation?
Yes. Every online gift gets an email receipt straight away, and we post one if you ask. Whether your gift is tax-deductible depends on our registration and on the rules where you pay tax (sample answer).
Can I give food instead of money?
Yes. Bring tins, dried food, toiletries and baby supplies to the centre, Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. We cannot take home-cooked food or anything past its use-by date.
Can I choose what my money pays for?
Yes. Tell us when you give and we will spend it on that programme. Gifts without a choice go where the need is greatest that month.
Do I need a referral to get help?
Not for your first visit. Come during opening times or call us, and we will talk through what would help. For regular parcels we may ask for a referral from a local agency (example policy).
Can I give every month?
Yes, and it helps us most: regular gifts let us plan the shopping and the van rounds. You can change or stop a monthly gift at any time.
Is my information kept private?
We ask only for what we need to help you or to process your gift, and we do not sell or swap it. Our privacy policy explains how we keep it and how to ask us to delete it.
Give a week of hot lunches.
$25 pays for a week of lunches for one neighbour (sample cost). Give once, or every month so we can plan the shopping.
Registered charity no. 000000 (sample). You get a receipt for every gift.