Kiwis urged to help feed struggling families

Vanisa Samuel with children Haina Samuel and Pearl David waited in the queues outside the Auckland City Mission last year. Photo / Jason Oxenham

As Auckland City Mission braces for its busiest time of year, it is urging Kiwis to help feed struggling families during the festive season.

City Missioner Dame Diane Robertson urged every Aucklander to support the mission's Christmas Appeal to feed those Kiwis who were struggling.

"I've worked at the mission for more than two decades and have witnessed time and again how incredibly generous the Auckland community can be.

"Please help make this our most successful Christmas Appeal yet by becoming someone's angel today."

Dame Diane said desperate Kiwis sought help from the mission for various reasons that include illness, accidents and job losses.

"Children are out of school, meaning additional funds may need to go towards childcare, or struggling parents find themselves needing to feed and look after extended family members," she said.

She said a lack of family and community support meant some people needed the help of the Mission.

"A donation of just $10 is enough to pay for someone - a vulnerable child, isolated elderly person, or rough sleeper - to enjoy a hot meal on Christmas Day."

The Auckland City Mission distributed 10,924 emergency food parcels from June last year to June this year.