Helping the needy through social media

A Tokoroa family has donated a food parcel through Faceboook to a family in need.

Kelly Marie Retimana and her family of six decided to gather extra food while doing their shopping last week.

“Whilst doing our weekly shop and seeing the specials it was pretty much an on the spot decision to buy extras just for a food parcel,” Retimana said.

Having felt the struggle themselves, Retimana and her family are often giving to people in need.

“It feels good, Retimana said.

“We (my family) have felt the struggle and it doesn’t feel nice, so when we do have enough to share we do so happily, every time.”

Retimana took to Facebook after buying extra and posted on the Tokoroa Genuine Facebook page, asking people to nominate a family that may need a bit of extra help.

The family who wish not to be named, were chosen at random from a hat.

“I’m pretty sure they would’ve been very grateful for the little extra food,” she said.

In the past year, the Retimana family have donated three times.

The number of people each week who struggle with buying food is high, and cannot be given a number says Food Bank volunteer Ruth Ramea.

Basic supplies are given in food parcels such non-perishable foods, flour rice and recently milk powder, which is all funded through donations and trustees.

The situation is made worse because there are a lot of people moving from out of town, she said.

The Tokoroa Food Bank helps families from areas as far apart as Lichfield, Tokoroa and Atiamuri.

Ramea said the year is constant, but Christmas and school holidays are the busiest times.

The team of about 30 staff involving volunteers, trustees and helpers, buy and collect the food to put into parcels, but Ramea said more is always needed.

“We are always looking for donations.”