Concert proceeds to help feed the homeless

HELP: Shona Narayan, left, and Kellie Tatterton-Pakau of Help for the Homeless are trying to raise funds for tables and chairs and a heater for their premises. PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER.

Help for the Homeless will bring you Food For Your Soul tomorrow night, an event to raise funds for new equipment and raise awareness around the problem of homelessness in Rotorua.

Help for the Homeless founder and trustee Kellie Tatterton-Pakau along with trustee members Daniel Mitchell, Nagmiri Hapeta, Ange Hobson and volunteers Nikki Smith, Paere Hunuhunu, Bianca Taute, Wendy Biddle and Shone Nayaryn, started Help for Homeless more than year ago.

"I would always pass a group of people outside the i-Site around 3.30 every morning so I decided to pull over and ask what they were up to and they told me they were keeping warm for the night. So the next day I stopped and gave them food. After work, I got hold of Amy Burke from Help for the Homeless Christchurch and asked her how I do something like this up here," Kellie says.

"Our first night out we fed seven people so we decided to take on three nights. We went from seven people to 19 to 26 to 39 to 41 to 50, and the numbers keep rising. We stayed at Jean Batten Square for around 10 months and then moved to Kuirau Park where we feed down by the barbecue area.

"When it rained we would just go under the sheltered part by the buildings. Then the council gave us the MOR building in front of Mataatua Marae, which we scrubbed, painted, carpeted and furnished to make it bright, comfortable and welcoming to all that we help.

"We also have a registered budgeter, Work and Income advocacy, a registered doctor and a nurse on board with us as well."

Kellie says Help for the Homeless relies on community food donations to operate.

"What we need normally comes out of our own pockets. We have fed the same people since we started and we know their stories. We are a group of dedicated people that are passionate about helping those less fortunate. We started this with the idea of helping just the homeless but we learnt early on that even people with homes are struggling.

"So we help the elderly and families, struggling youth, and rough sleepers as we can't turn anyone away. We do not disrespect, judge or belittle any one, and we do not argue or tell people they are not welcome. Treat others as you would like to be treated. It's that's simple."

Kellie says her long term goal is to set up a multi-purpose shelter facility.

"We would like to see a night shelter put in place not just for the homeless but for youth as well, a place where they can leave their belongings without the worry of them being taken, a safe haven for all. We would still provide meals as we do now as well as teach basic cooking and nutrition skills not only to those we already help but also solo and young parents.

"During the day we would like to see the place used as an adult education drop in centre, helping adults with the basics, then helping and preparing them for the work force," she says.

"The final goal would be to get them housed back into the community and a sense of belonging and pride. We want to inspire people to reach their full potential working co-operatively with other to alleviate homelessness, poverty and hunger."

The money raised from the Food For Your Soul concert will help fund outdoor heating, tables, and chairs. The event, featuring Val Chadwick, FourIn-1, Jukebox, Soul Souljahs, Jah Suns, 2 Black, Stave, and Andre Narbey, will be held tomorrow at Crates 'n' Cues from 7.30pm. Tickets are $20 from MusicWorks, Crates 'n' Cues, and TCS Fish 'n' Chips.