Bellyful HB “Cookathon” volunteers working to produce ready-to-eat frozen meals for families in need.
Bellyful HB “Cookathon” volunteers working to produce ready-to-eat frozen meals for families in need.
The ongoing impact of Cyclone Gabrielle, cost-of-living pressures and a business community still in Covid recovery has left Hawke’s Bay’s not-for-profit sector under strain.
Rising demand and a diminished fundraising capacity from businesses and volunteers has left many not-for-profits balancing growing demand against limited funding.
Helping fill the growing gap in fundraising, Hawke’s Bay Foundation has helped sustain the operations of 51 local not-for-profits through its annual funding round, allocating more than $190,000.
Alongside its Cyclone Relief Fund, the region’s community foundation has allocated more than $3M over the past 12 months.
Foundation distributions chairwoman, Sarah Mulcahy says many of the applications for funding referred to the mental stress and anxiety still felt by those in the community.
“Organisations are telling us they are experiencing increased challenges in their fundraising activities due to the impacts of Cyclone Gabrielle and a ‘fatigue’ in charitable giving.”
Bellyful Hawke’s Bay supports whānau with young babies and children with free ready-to-eat meals. Its 26 volunteers provided 144 whānau with 992 meals from Napier to Havelock North last year. With 50 referrals in the first quarter of 2023 alone, (312 meals delivered to 50 whānau), they expect growth of at least 25 percent this year.
Spokeswoman Aliesha Gordon says the organisation is grateful for the grant.
“We are seeing significant demand surges. Hawke’s Bay Foundation funding means our volunteers can concentrate on delivering front-line services for whānau who desperately need us.”
Foundation funding has also seen suicide awareness and prevention programme Mates4Life bolstered with $3000 to cover rent costs for an expanded office space.
Programme coordinator Bronnie Coory says every donation helps deliver their kaupapa to workplaces throughout Hawke’s Bay.
“Our main concern is that the effect of the cyclone is long-term – years not months. We need to ensure that the support for those affected is sustainable for those in need for the long-term. There also needs to be good support for those helping. We are seeing a lot of ‘helper’ fatigue.”
Since April this year, Mates4Life has delivered Kai & Kōrero to more than 2000 people in businesses and communities affected by the cyclone.
Kaupapa Māori-based social development providers at Ko Wai Tōu Ingoa Hauora.
“We need to encourage those that are struggling to talk, to reach out and ask for help. This can be very hard for a lot of people, so we encourage others to reach in, to check in, to ask ‘are you okay’ and if you are worried about someone don’t just take “I’m fine” for an answer. Let the person who is struggling talk, to tell their story and for those that are there to help, to just listen.”
Kaupapa Māori-based social development provider Ko Wai Tōu Ingoa Hauora offers mobile support to those in need, from Wairoa to Takapau. In 2022 they supported 2476 people across the region; mainly youth, families and the elderly.
Chief executive, Stacy Apiata says they’ve seen an increase in need for psychosocial support.
“Family harm has increased and families need support through this. Our grant from Hawke’s Bay Foundation will assist our Whānau Friday Community Dinner which provides a critical network for those experiencing poverty, harm and/or suicide.”
