A coffee and catch-up for people affected by COVID-19 is evolving into a support network with the goal of helping migrants in Wanaka find purpose, connect with others, and meet their needs.

Local organisation Food for Love, which provides home-cooked meals for people in need, held a get-together on Wednesday (June 17) to gauge the level of need in the community by people adversely affected by COVID-19. 

Volunteer organiser Bex Sarginson said around 35 to 40 people showed up for the event and the situation of many of them was “eye opening”. 

“There are people stuck here and they are in trouble,” Bex said. 

The group, made up of mostly migrants under 30, are not only struggling to meet their material needs but also struggling mentally, Bex said. 

There were a variety of situations: people who had come to New Zealand to travel and couldn’t leave and had little or no money left; some who had spent the last of their funds trying to book flights home only to have the flights cancelled without refunds; and some very young people who had been stuck here alone for months with insecure living arrangements. 

A coffee and catch-up for people affected by COVID-19 attracted 35 to 40 people on Wednesday.

Many were having to live in vans or tents, and were not only struggling financially but being worn down by isolation and lack of purpose, she said.

“There were lots of tears and lots of hugs on Wednesday,” Bex said. “These people are in need.” 

Some government assistance has been available to migrants and foreign visitors stranded in New Zealand via Civil Defence and Emergency Management (CDEM), and facilitated by local councils and community groups, but help is limited.

The group has already arranged for another meet-up next Wednesday, where soup and cheese rolls will be provided, as well as a supportive space. 

Bex said because groceries were being provided for some people through government funding, Food for Love had not been inundated with demand for its meal delivery service. 

The situation for migrants in the community had inspired Food for Love to focus some of its energy on finding ways to help them.

Food for Love is looking at a scheme where people could help out with odd jobs in exchange for meals. The way it may work was still evolving, Bex said, and some people would be interested in working for accommodation too.

“It was such a respectful and kind group of people,” Bex said. “As well as everything else they don’t have anything to do and they want to be part of the community and have some purpose while they are here.”

Without the possibility of renewing work visas, a barter-style system seemed suitable, Bex said. 

If you have some odd jobs - which could be anything from babysitting to gardening to cleaning - and would be willing to provide food or accommodation in exchange for work, Food for Love wants to hear from you. 

“Wanaka is such an amazing community. I’m sure if people realise the situation these people are in they would be willing to help.”

Bex said while demand for meal delivery wasn’t currently high, she expects it to increase significantly as social and financial support provided by the government starts to dry up. 

“We’re here and we’re ready,” she says.

If you would like to be involved, either by providing work or joining the support network group, please get in touch with Food for Love by calling Bex on 0272229230, emailing [email protected] or going to their Facebook page.

PHOTOS: Supplied