Auckland City Mission providing comfort this Christmas

To donate food for emergency food parcels and Foodlink, visit www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz While its services to those in need are varied, Christmas always presents a challenging time for many. Thanks to the generosity of supporters, the City Mission team will be ready to help bring Christmas magic to thousands of Aucklanders once more.

Beyond December 25, the other 364 days of the year remain equally important for Mission staff, volunteers, and the many people they help.

The goal of the Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai for this year is to let everyone enjoy some Christmas Day magic. So, in what ways can Aucklanders help?

The Mission team says it is grateful for all donations of gifts to help families in need. While gifts can be dropped off in person at the Mission distribution centre at 15 Auburn Street, Grafton, people wishing to donate gifts are encouraged to buy items online and send to the distribution centre instead. There are instructions on the Mission website (www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz) on how you and your loved ones or work colleagues can do this.

Naturally, monetary donations also remain extremely helpful and greatly appreciated to enable the Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai to provide food parcels and other support.

And the gift of ‘time’ is also a cherished one for the Mission team. Although the Mission won’t require as many Christmas Day volunteers as were needed prior to COVID-19, it is still always looking for volunteers to help in other ways. Aucklanders are encouraged to sign up to support with the Christmas food and gift service leading up to the day itself.

Duties can involve sorting and wrapping gifts, putting together boxes of food, taking food and gifts to people’s cars at various collection points, or many other activities. Anyone interested in volunteering should check the Mission website for details.

Last year, the Mission gave out 30,000 gifts and 9,000 Christmas food parcels to Aucklanders who would otherwise have gone without. With another tough Christmas ahead for many families in the wider community, the Mission team says it remains truly grateful for any support in bringing seasonal joy to families who are struggling.

For more information on volunteering for the Auckland City Mission, or to donate food for emergency food parcels and Foodlink, visit www.aucklandcitymission.org.nzor phone 09 303 9200.