A South Auckland budgeting service has seen a 49 percent increase in demand for food support and financial capability services over the past year.
“At Māngere Budgeting Services Trust, we are seeing first-hand the growing pressure families are under, with more whānau turning to us for food support because their income is simply no longer enough to cover the basics,” says Chief Executive Lara Dolan.
“Rising fuel prices are adding further pressure to households already struggling with the cost of living. When petrol prices rise, the impact is felt far beyond the pump. It increases transport costs, pushes up the price of food and other essential goods, and leaves families having to make even harder choices.”
The Trust acknowledges the significant impact of food re-distributers KiwiHarvest, for their ongoing support in helping South Auckland whānau access food during a time of rising hardship.
“Their generosity helps us provide more food through our social supermarket, including many 0-point items that allow families to stretch their groceries further, in some cases for up to two weeks,” Dolan says.
“For parents already under stress, that support can mean the relief of knowing there will be food on the table and something for their children to eat after school.”
Rosanna Nicholson, Social Supermarket Team Leader the Trust, says the level of need remains deeply concerning.
“It is heartbreaking to see how many families with children are unable to afford basic food. Many of the families we support are in part-time employment, but the rising cost of living means their income simply does not stretch far enough to meet everyday needs,” says Nicholson.
Maureen Tukuleva, Social Supermarket and Food Relief Coordinator, says the response from clients shows just how critical this support is.
“It is uplifting to see the relief on people’s faces when they know their immediate food stress has been eased. We receive a lot of feedback from clients about what they will cook with the food they receive, and many are so grateful knowing they will be able to feed their whole family,” says Tukuleva.
