It was excellent that Auckland returned to Level1 last week which allowed us to meet face to face on the 25th. Zoom Meetings are certainly better than nothing, but there is nothing like the real thing!! 25 members were joined by five guests. Our guests were; Peter Ross and Alan Haywood from Newmarket Rotary, Barry from the Stonefields Residents Association, potential new member - Robyn's sister Lauren and our guest speaker Rhondda Middleton from the Salvation Army:
Since 1883, The Salvation Army has fought poverty and social and spiritual distress in New Zealand. They have helped more than 120,000 families and individuals in need each year—with budgeting advice, food and clothing assistance, life skill programmes and other comfort and support.
Rotary in our District started to assist with foodbank packing and food parcel distribution (from the Manukau Centre) during the first Covid Lockdown. Teams of Rotarians from different clubs (including ours) have kept up the volunteer work at their Manukau Food Bank on a regular basis.
There are 75 Salvation Army Centre's throughout New Zealand with a team of 350. Last year they distributed 110,000 Food Parcels nationally. Apart from the Food Banks, their Community Ministries are involved with a wide range of activities, such as;
- Youth Services
- Welfare
- Education Programmes
- Housing
- Senior Services
- Early Childhood
- Building Financial Capability and
- Whanau Services