Food Distribution and Wellbeing Centre

Challenge 2000 realised that during the lock down and no public transport time many of our families who were already on the edge would be tipped over. We were also getting numerous requests from College counsellors, other agencies and Police who were concerned about those they had been or were working with. As Colleges were shut and others were not an essential service Challenge staff kindly said YES and stepped up.

So Challenge 2000 began a Food and Wellbeing Delivery Service. The Service was committed to enhance the well being of those we walked with. Our emphasis was on healthy, fresh, balanced food deliveries that met the individual and cultural needs of each household. (And at times the needs of the family pets!).

Up to Level 2 the Challenge 2000 team delivered 514 food parcels to individuals and families across the Wellington Region. Recipients include:

  • individuals who have lost their employment
  • migrant workers
  • low income families
  • individuals with anxiety and depression
  • refugees with uncertain support and too afraid to venture out
  • families with a sudden death
  • casual workers with no hope of budgeting and purchasing food on a very limited income
  • young people without support, alienated from their families
  •  people waiting for their wage paid on a fortnightly basis
  • those receiving the government salary subsidy and who have a huge gap in their living costs and income because of Covoid 19
  • elderly people who needed extras

We are so grateful to many individuals, groups and businesses who have contributed in so many ways.

A special thank you to Stacey Shortall, the Savage and Stewart Family and the “Who did you help today Trust”. Right from the start you were absolutely fantastic and your generosity ensured top quality meat, veges, fruit and eggs for our people. Jimmy the driver was fantastic too.

Next a thank you to KCA and Churton Park New World for your ongoing supportive partnership with Challenge 2000.

Huge thanks also to:

  • Nada Tawa and then Nada Johnsonville for your ongoing support and the fresh yummy bread.
  • Ministry of Social Development and Wellington City Council for helping fund some of the food parcels for Wellington people
  • Monty Patel of Tulsi, your rice was so timely and has filled out many orders that we would have struggled to meet.
  • Super Liquor Johnsonville for providing the chiller and making sure we could keep everything fresh. “Super” alright Bruce.
  • Greg O’Connor for linking us with donating businesses and donating dollars to get extras here
  • Fine Cuisine owners who donated lots of made up meals
  • Angus O’Sullivan at Pak n Save Petone, thanks for your patience with all the orders and your team for packing it
  • The Parishioners of St Francis of Assisi Ohariu for partnering to share your parish hall so we could make up our deliveries
  •  AND to so many kind people who gave and continue to give food or donations so generously.
  • And finally to TOLL who moved the food donated and orders purchased for nothing. Roberto, you and your despatchers and drivers were amazing.

Then a big thank you to the Challenge Team who day in and day out cared and delivered food, support and positivity with a smile and a friendly bow or nod. You made a difference.

From Some of our homes:

“Wow thank you so much for the food parcel! I’m overwhelmed! Was not expecting that. Thank u :)”.

Aaawww yaaaay! Thank you very very much!! Perfect timing for food for us! Your amazing! Bless you“.

“Hi Jan, its [names removed] mum here. Thanks for the fruit n vege and food parcel, thank you so much for considering us and doing this….sorry I got no creds to tax back again. I am just so grateful“.

Hey Jan its [name removed] here just wanted to thank you for the food, laptop and for even thinking of me. My household and I are so grateful for you generosity look after yourself have fun thanks again“.

“Thanks felise for that food. Tough at the moment brother
U guyz always are there for my kidz. Much alofas”.

“In tears now. Your food delivery to our whanau…not enough words or ways to say thank you. It’s a bad time for us and those home cooked meals, chicken, veges and kumara just blew us away…thanks to my challenge whanau. Didn’t expect anything like this“.

“Hey Trina When I had to let the school now about our situation I was whakama. Next day you come round with a huge parcel for us and its no sweat… the kids were happy to see you….pleased I got over myself to ask hey. Thanks Trina and the school”.

Hi Mele ….P’s Granddad who has been buying groceries for his own bubble and P’s rang to say how grateful they are to you and Challenge for the food you dropped off today. It means he need not go shopping for at least another fortnight which relieves significant financial and other pressures on them all. So thank you so much for that!” – College Dean.

“During level 4 of the COVID-19 lockdown, Challenge 2000 delivered a large number of food parcels, activity packages and essential items to the families of our students. As an essential service, our social worker and youth worker also provided driveway and distanced physical check ins to ensure the wellbeing of our students. They have continued this work while we have not been allowed to and I know that I can rely on them to respond effectively and immediately” – College Principal.