City Mission running low on food, clothes

Diane Robertson says more and more people are turning to the mission, especially now winter is here. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Auckland City Mission is running low on food and clothing after a surge in demand for its services.

The mission usually gives out 5000 food parcels a year but last year that increased to more than 7500.

As well, the number of people seeking emergency assistance rose by half.

City Missioner Diane Robertson said many of the mission's clients were people who had lost jobs because of the recession, and demand for food parcels would continue to increase as temperatures dropped.

"As it gets colder, people prioritise paying the rent and power to keep the heaters on, and food ends up being the lowest priority," she said. "They pay those things first, and then there's smaller and smaller amounts for food."

Apart from Christmas, winter is the mission's busiest season, as it tries to fill requests for warm clothing and blankets.

"Donations of clothing and blankets are low at the moment, and we don't have enough. More and more people want stuff from us."

Ms Robertson said warm clothing made a huge difference for people - especially school-age children. She she studies showed 90 per cent of learning opportunities were lost if students were hungry or cold. "If you're warm and well-fed you're going to achieve better at school."

Donations of clothing, blankets, furniture, food and money can be made to mission stores.