KEY POINTS:
Auckland City Mission's Christmas appeal is running 40 per cent below normal, apparently because Aucklanders have not yet caught the Christmas spirit.
With less than a week to go, City Missioner Diane Robertson says the mission has raised only $380,000 towards its $750,000 target.
"I think people are not gearing up to Christmas very fast this year," she said. "I don't know whether it's because the economy is a bit tighter. Retail is slower. It's quite interesting, you walk round town and talk to people and they say it doesn't feel like Christmas."
The mission, which gives out about 700 food parcels in December, has also received fewer donations of food than usual.
"Normally we get a lot of food, money and presents. Everything is behind the eight-ball," Ms Robertson said. "If donations of food are down we have to go out and purchase food for families, so it has a double whammy effect."
However, the mission has solved one issue that caused problems last year: relations with Work and Income.
The mission's policy is not to give food parcels until families have used up all their entitlements from Work and Income, and last year there were long delays in getting emergency appointments with staff.
This year, Work and Income has stationed a case manager in the mission's premises with access to the department's computer system during the pre-Christmas rush so staff can make immediate decisions.
The service is also available from the mission's Otahuhu branch.
SEE ALSO
www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz
