In today’s headlines with Chereè Kinnear high schools defy ministry orders, Darlene Tana’s future in Parliament and why more Kiwi couples are opting to elope.
“Bullying and pushing and shoving” in line at a Rotorua food rescue charity caused some seniors to leave without getting food, a volunteer says.
Now Rotorua Whakaora has set up a separate day for clients aged 60-plus to visit its free food store, where people struggling to feed themselves or their families can shop for donated groceries at no cost.
It comes as charities report more older people are seeking food support in the city
Rotorua Whakaora’s free store was previously only open on Sundays but recently added open hours on Fridays for people aged 60-plus.
Rotorua Whakaora co-founder Gina Peiffer said some Sunday clients had been getting annoyed with how older people were taking up time or being brought to the front of the line.
She said opening the free store for older clients on Fridays helped reduce these complaints.
Gina and Elmer Peiffer from charity food distribution service Rotorua Whakaora. Photo / Fayzah Mohamed
“The comfort of other people is first and foremost. So those we see struggling, we will pull them to the front and put them through. Having the 60-plus shop on a separate day gets rid of a majority of that problem.”
A volunteer who did not want to be named said some of the older peoplewere becoming afraid of standing in line because of “a little bit of bullying and pushing and shoving”, which had caused some of them to leave without getting food.
Peiffer, who runs the store with husband Elmer from home, said she believed people pushed and shoved because they were afraid of missing out on food.
“We’ve only ever had one incident here [at the residence] in the last year and that was non-violent. It was mainly just yelling and screaming.”
She said people coming to the free store on Fridays told her they felt safer.
Rotorua resident Wayne Judson, 78, said he had experienced pushing when visiting the Sunday free store.
“When they push in, you know, just some people haven’t got manners I suppose.”
He found it “100 times” better shopping at Rotorua Whakaora on Fridays.
One person who did not want to be named said she experienced and saw some verbal abuse at the free store on both days but Sunday particularly.
“On a Friday and a Sunday, you get occasionally verbal [abuse]. I have seen more than verbal, particularly on a Sunday. It’s hard to deal with but you just try and walk away.”
She said she found it more enjoyable shopping and chatting with those in her generation at the Friday free store.
Rama Epere, 75, said she found going to Rotorua Whakaora on Fridays easier and safer as there was no “snatch or grab” and “no pushing”.
Peiffer said while they had been receiving “amazing support” for the Kawerau free store, some people were complaining.
“The problems are that people think we should keep all the food here in Rotorua seven days a week and allow them to access it seven days a week.
“We’re just there to help bridge that gap of when you might run low on food to get you through to the next few days, that’s what we’re about.”
Peiffer said the charity had generally seen a spike in older people needing assistance.
Rotorua Whakaora distributed food to Kawerau, Tokoroa, Murupara and other communities but primarily focused on Rotorua.
Salvation Army Rotorua corps officer Hana Seddon. Photo / Mead Norton
Salvation Army Rotorua runs a foodbank and corps officer Hana Seddon said there were “definitely more” people in the 60-plus age group needing food parcels.
