An absolutely devastating loss has turned into an “overwhelming” show of aroha for a Christchurch food bank after experiencing a robbery over the weekend.
Hoon Hay food bank was broken into on Sunday night, with thieves clearing out a freezer full of meat and other frozen goods, all set to go to struggling locals in need.
CCTV footage captured two men dressed in balaclavas breaking into the walk-in freezer and taking off food that would have fed hundreds of whānau.
The team behind the food bank shared their heartbreak online, saying: "You have completely depleted all supplies of any meat and frozen and chilled items that were going out to hundreds of whānaus who genuinely need the help to put kai on the table in their homes.”
You’re not stealing from us, you have stolen from hundreds of whānaus across Christchurch.
But in true Kiwi fashion, what followed was an outpouring of support that the food bank could never have fathomed.
Within just 12 hours, the food bank had $12,000 donated directly to their account. Wigram New World chipped in with an $8,000 store credit. Fonterra are sending in a truckload of products. And the CEO of Foodstuffs South Island was one of the first people to get in touch and offer help.
“Yesterday was a massive day,” co-founder Nicole Sutherland told Edge Breakfast. “The response has just been something we’ve never ever seen.”
Locals queued from 9am to 6pm, some with groceries in hand, others simply there to offer a hug.
Nicola shared that no matter where the community were shopping, everywhere they went, store managers were “ready and waiting”, some paying for half the bill and giving large discounts.
The generosity and all these selfless people… everybody's hearts are so big.
To put it into perspective, in a normal week, the food bank can take between 100-120 bookings based on food supply, and since the show of support, they’re looking at doubling that next week.
“It just shows how amazing New Zealand really is, it’s not just our local community, we’re getting calls from the North Island, Australia.”
"Just know , each and everyone of you has blown us away beyond belief , the words of support , the kindness , the practical support and financial support you are all incredible," the food bank wrote in a thank you message on Facebook.
YOU are the reason our doors are still open. YOU are the reason we can do what we do.
Even as many Kiwis face their own battles to put food on the table, the way the community rallied shows just how far our generosity goes.
