Foodstuffs South Island

Community Trust grants more than $50,000 to South Island groups

The Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust has approved more than $50,000 in funding for community organisations helping South Islanders through the challenges of winter.

At its most recent meeting, the Trust approved 12 applications, providing a total of $50,533 to charities and community groups providing support to families, children and whānau across the South Island.

The grants contribute to a range of initiatives from school lunches and breakfast programmes to food pantries and access to essential baby items.

Among the organisations receiving funding are:

  • Kete Kai (Hokitika) – to help provide school lunches for children in need.
  • Pregnancy Help Dunedin – to support vulnerable families with essentials such as nappies, formula and baby food.
  • Heart Kids New Zealand – to provide grocery vouchers for South Island families returning home from Starship Hospital after their child's surgery.
  • Ellesmere College Breakfast Club – to provide breakfast foods and essential personal hygiene products for students.
  • Rachel’s House Trust (North Canterbury) – in supermarket vouchers to support its Food Pantry and Kai Box Service for whānau experiencing financial hardship and food insecurity.
  • Tamai Sports (East Christchurch) – to purchase kai for its sports programme, helping remove barriers to participation for local children.

Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust Chairperson, Lucy Boock, said winter can be one of the most difficult times of the year for many households.

"These organisations are providing critical services which make a real difference in their communities. This funding helps them continue to provide support where it's needed most.”

The Trust meets four times each year and invites applications for any qualifying initiatives no matter how big or small the need may be. The latest grants reflect the Trust’s ongoing commitment to increase community access to healthy food, reduce hardship for individuals and communities and provide emergency relief for community organisations during crisis events.

The Trust next meets on 25 August with applications closing on 11 August. For more information about the Trust, the organisations it supports and how to apply, visit Foodstuffs (South Island) Community Trust.