Foodstuffs South Island has pledged $100,000 of immediate product support to its foodbank partners, in response to the surge in demand for food resources due to the latest Covid-19 movement restrictions.

Charity group Christchurch City Mission, who supports nearly 50,000 people, was among those who received an emergency delivery of essential groceries from the supermarket’s distribution centre in Hornby.

“In one day alone last week, we fed nearly 450 people,” said Matthew Mark, missioner at Christchurch City

“The hardship the current lockdown is causing is on an extraordinary scale, and it was looking like we were going to completely run out of many essentials like canned goods and toilet paper.”

The emergency funding application was made to the Community Trust by Foodstuffs South Island CEO Steve Anderson after receiving a call from the charity, who said they were struggling to cope with the rise in demand for the Mission’s food bank service.

“The call laid bare the dire situation foodbanks are currently facing,” said Anderson “They are a vital service in our communities and are providing much-needed help to those most affected by lockdown.”

Established in 2007, Foodstuffs South Island Community Trust aims to ensure New Zealanders have access to healthy and affordable food and support organisations working in the community to combat food insecurity.

“We are immensely grateful for the quick and generous support we have received from Foodstuffs South Island and Foodstuffs (South Island) Community Trust. Their emergency delivery and continued support mean we’re able to continue to provide this much-needed help,” Mark added.