A steady rise in foodbank patronage is demonstrating increasing hardship in the community.

Community Link provided a record 1,032 food parcels in 2023, up from 770 in 2022, and in 2024 that number is on track to increase again. 

“Between January and the end of May this year we had 468 parcels feeding 1029 people in our community,” Community Link acting manager Vicki McDermott told the Wānaka App.

One day in early June, 14 parcels went out in a single day.

Demand for the organisation’s community support fund, which can help households with school-based costs and living costs, has also soared.

Vicki said 230 households accessed the fund in 2023 - another record number - approximately a 30 percent increase on the previous year.

She said the main concerns for people accessing that fund were heating costs.

“Others are medical costs and car repairs which are essential [as there is] no public transport for people getting to work when there are car repairs to pay for.”

The rising cost of living was the main factor in increasing demand across both services, she said.

“The price for petrol, food, and the increase in mortgage rates are all contributing factors,” she said. 

Vicki said she had also heard anecdotally that waitlists for childcare in Wānaka had affected parents’ ability to return to work, affecting family incomes.

“Donations, both large and small, are critical to enable us to be able to provide support to our community,” she said. “We are hugely grateful as it goes a long way to alleviating family stress.”

She encouraged anyone in the community who is struggling to get in touch with Community Link to find out what kind of support they may be able to offer.

“It can be extremely hard to reach out and ask for help and we endeavour to be caring and confidential in our approach.”

Community Link (formerly Community Networks/LINK ) is a one-stop community and support connection centre.

PHOTO: Community Link