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Around 3000 requests for food parcels have been received by Auckland Council in the first week of its operation.
Council has set up a food distribution centre at Spark Arena at the request of the government to help people needing assistance during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The government is meeting the cost of the food, while Council is operating the contact centre to respond to calls for help and coordinating the supply, packaging and delivery of food.
“In particular we are trying to reach out to those who have suffered job losses because of the lockdown, to tide them over until their applications for income support are processed by state agencies,” Mayor Phil Goff says.
“We are also assisting groups such as the elderly and the disabled, who are unable to access supermarkets.”
On Monday, 800 food parcels were delivered and yesterday, that total rose to 1500 packs.
“Our staff have reported that many of the calls they have received are from people who have not asked for this sort of support before. It is really important that every family is able to put food on the table.”
Auckland Emergency Management Group controller Kate Crawford said the service is responding well, despite high demand.
“Pulling an operation of this size together in such a short space of time has been a logistical challenge, but one that the team has risen to.
In addition to requests for the welfare parcels, the service has also fielded calls related to accommodation and the need for other government support services.
The basic food packages are available for Aucklanders who are unable to afford groceries or are in self-isolation with no access to other support networks. Those applying for the package will be assessed for eligibility when they phone in.
Auckland Emergency Management has worked with Countdown to source the contents of the parcels, which include tinned fruit, vegetables and fish, pasta, rice and basic toiletries. New Zealand Couriers is distributing the parcels to households across the Auckland region.
Aucklanders who need to access the service can call the helpline on 0800 22 22 76. The helpline is open between 7am and 7pm, seven days a week.
The Spark arena has become a distribution centre during the lockdown.
