There's no doubt that winter weather makes poverty harder. When the temperature drops, warm homes, warm clothing and warm food are not just comfort items. They impact on our health, our emotional wellbeing, our productivity at work or school, our relationships, and our ability to cope with life's other challenges.
Staying warm and healthy over winter requires an additional spend. For families with nothing spare in their budget the added demands of cold winter weather may mean having to go without.
Winter is cold for us all, but it feels a lot colder if you are getting through without a warm jersey, enough blankets or a hot meal. When you can’t make ends meet, winter just feels colder. Your contributions make a real and significant difference.
‘Mission stocks are low,’ says City Missioner, Diane Robertson. “Over the past 12 months, the Mission has provided 7,207 emergency food parcels and distributed another $2,000,000 worth of food to community food-banks. More than 700 beds are given out every year and thousands of jerseys, blankets, raincoats and shoes will be handed out over the next few months. But right now, we need more of everything if we’re to meet the coming demand.’
Donated goods provide Mission staff with the ability to provide emergency support all over Auckland, however Auckland City Mission goes further than that. Auckland City Mission is committed to helping families, as a unit, create long-term positive change. A simple hand-out that has people coming back time and time again is merely a band-aid.
Instead of just ‘patching’ the problem, Auckland City Mission works with families and individuals to try and achieve ongoing improvements in their lifestyle, health, wellbeing and independence. Financial donations allow the Mission to employ professional staff to provide this extra level of support.
‘It costs a lot for us to stay true to our organisational vision,’ says Ms Robinson, ‘but we know it’s money well spent. With the ongoing support of the greater Auckland community, Auckland City Mission will remain committed to providing emergency help when it’s needed most, while at the same time striving to help families and individuals achieve positive long-term change. It’s what we believe is truly important.’
Please visit www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz to help