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Is everything back on track?
What about those who can’t even afford to feed themselves?
Funding for food banks appears to be in the process of being slashed, according to reports. And the consequences could be dire.
from Oakland City Mission News Release:
Unless the Government provides funding for food security in the budget, Auckland City Mission Te Tāpui Atawhai will have to turn away food from families who need it most.
The Government says there will be very little funding for food supplies in the 2024/25 budget, even after a direct appeal from Auckland City Mission Manutaki Helen Robinson. The only funding confirmed is 3.5 per cent of the mission’s total spending on food parcel supplies.
The mission and other agencies have been receiving food aid since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic, although the rate of aid has slowed since 2020.
Now, churches and other social institutions are facing a significant reduction in food services, leaving many individuals and families without the nutrition they need or deserve. “Without government support, the amount of food that churches can provide to families in need each year will be significantly reduced, from 50,000 packs to 20,000 packs. This is a reduction of more than 50% from July 1 of this year,” Robinson said.
“The lack of proper investment from government will result in immediate hardship for families who are already struggling during these tough times. The stark reality we face is that 27,000 fewer meals will be provided to parents and children each week, and they will not have enough food to stay physically and mentally healthy, to go to school or work, or to contribute to society. This is a deeply troubling and worrying prospect.”
It’s not just Oakland City Mission that’s been affected. The effects are being felt across the country. Ethan Griffiths of The Herald:
A Wellington budgeting service has had its funding withdrawn by the Government, even though its manager says they are “busier than ever” as people struggle with high interest rates and the cost of living.
it is Ministry of Social Development (MSD) to review its contract with Budget Services.
It is understood funding has also been cut to other providers across the country.
The Wellington Budget Service, which is run in conjunction with the Citizens Advice Bureau, is mainly staffed by volunteers but needs funding to pay for a part-time manager and office and IT equipment.
The center has been funded by MSD since 2017. Last year, the center received $77,000 in funding.
MSD first tried to blame it on the end of COVID funding, then when it was pointed out to them that Wellington budget services had been funded pre-COVID, they switched to putting the blame on the “procurement process”.
Oakland City Missionary Helen Robinson is outspoken about the budget cuts that are forcing the Oakland City Mission to Keep the hungry out.
The government will no doubt blame the fiscal cliff, but that’s what governing is all about. You deal with these issues every day. You may decide to give landlords tax breaks or bailouts to the poor, but it’s your decision and you should take the credit or blame for it.
Christopher Luxon apparently thinks Helping the poor is at the bottom… He supported the landlords, not the poor.
It’s shameful, shameful for him and shameful for the country.
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