NZ food banks run low on supplies

File photo / NZ Herald

Food banks around the country have empty shelves and no back-up as a wave of need hits New Zealand.

Foodbanks from Auckland to Dunedin are reporting empty shelves and with Christmas looming they are asking for food donations - specifically canned soup, fruit and spreads.

The Auckland City Mission said their food parcel statistics were at a record high.

Gisborne Salvation Army pastor Graham Medland said their demand for food parcels had remained steady but the donation of food to the centre had dropped.

"We used to get dented cans but not so much now. The Countdown distribution centre in Auckland used to donate pallets of food but that has dropped back to boxes."

Major Medland said the Salvation Army budgeted $18,000 a year for essential items like bread, eggs and milk for the service, but every year around $100,000 of food was given away through the food parcel assistance programme.

The deficit gap was filled through donations and prayer.

Salvation Army community ministries co-ordinator Bev Hauiti said they were experiencing an increase in single men with addictions and mental health issues asking for food parcel help.

There was also an increase in budgeting services, with a three to four-week wait to see a budget advisor.

Criteria for food bank assistance changed in September last year and now requires people to get budget assistance to qualify for help if they go beyond three food parcels.

There are scant supplies to provide families in the weeks leading up to Christmas but, fortunately, the Salvation Army Christmas hamper scheme was budgeted for separately, with $6000 set aside for 100 hampers.

"They are not just random families, they are for families who we have worked with throughout the year and who we think are deserving. Plus food prices have gone up," said Mrs Hauiti.

Food bank co-ordinator Rod Ford said normally the shelves were stacked to overflowing, with 20 banana boxes full of food out the back.

"Now I've got none - zippo."