Cambridge businesses and cafes are donating food for the good of the community.
A conversation about the cost-of-living crisis overheard in a supermarket led to the opening of a new community food bank in Cambridge.
There was a good turnout for the opening of Kete Kai.
A Te Manawa o Cambridge Trust team member overheard a fellow shopper struggling with price of food.
The idea of building Kete Kai underneath the tulip tree at Cambridge Primary School was born.
“We have noticed an increase in demand and families going without,” said trust spokesperson Amanda Alexander. “We cater to families in need for a multitude of reasons ranging from advocacy to furniture to sourcing kai and everything in between.”
Trust founder Raylene Martin-Reuben’s journey began three years ago when she began putting the jug on for those in need and having a listening ear.
“Times are tough for everyone out there and the purpose of the Kete Kai is to bring the community together, so no one feels alone,” Alexander said.
The community rallied around the construction of the Kete Kai, with time and materials donated by many. Food donors, including café and shops leave food that would otherwise go to waste which is free for anyone to take.
“We are hoping that people only take what they need and so far, it seems to be operating well,” Alexander said.
“We have heard it is getting very good usage and support from town cafes, and the primary school is stocking it with fresh eggs and veggies that they produce from school. “
Pictured at the Kete Kai opening, from left, are Jacob Enger, Mike Brackenridge, Luke Elliot, Clayton Prichard, Dwain Reuben, Raylene Martin-Reuben, Mike Pettit, Manda Alexander, Sal Maxwell, Kimberly Knapp and Nic Pettit.
Waipā mayor Mike Pettit, who was principal at the primary school when the community project started, opened the facility with a ribbon cutting last week before meeting Cambridge Chamber of Commerce chief executive Kelly Bouzaid to discuss the issue of people sleeping rough in the central business district.
Kelly Bouzaid
Bouzaid called on the council to solve the rough sleeping problem last month. She wrote to strategy manager Kirsty Downey and regulatory services manager Wayne Allan offering to have input on a policy.
While Bouzaid said she is yet to receive a reply from staff, the mayor got in immediate contact after telling The News that the community needed to own both the problem and the solution.
Bouzaid said she and Pettit has discussed establishing a multi-agency taskforce to approach the issue across the entire district.
“It needs to a be a comprehensive approach,” Bouzaid said. “I would like to see a lot more haste from the council.”
Bouzaid said she was completely supportive of the trust’s work in opening Kete Kai.
“I think it’s wonderful. Kete Kai is for our residents that are struggling.”
Cambridge Corps of the Salvation Army community engagement team leader Julieanne Seath said families were finding it tough.
“People are struggling and we are giving out about 80 food parcels a month now,” she said.
“We are putting this down to sanctions that WINZ are bringing in because people are not meeting the criteria.”
Cambridge businesses and cafes are donating food for the good of the community.
