The Heart of Pātaka Kai

Pātaka Kai is a door to wider support. Hunger may be an immediate need that we can immediately address, but it also serves as a conversation starter, allowing staff to understand the deeper challenges that our whānau face.

Since its inception, our Pātaka Kai has been more than just a food bank. It's often a lifeline but always a means of connection. Unlike traditional food banks that provide generic pre-packed parcels of food, the Pātaka Kai operates with respect for the autonomy of our whānau (service users), by allowing them to choose items from a list based on their specific needs.

According to Kaiārahi Tari (Office & Facilities Manager) Alexi, Pātaka Kai is a door to wider support. Hunger may be an immediate need that we can immediately address, but it also serves as a conversation starter, allowing staff to understand the deeper challenges that our whānau face. "It's a good starting point to navigate someone through our other services, to really tackle their challenges from every angle and support them as much as we can," Alexi says.

Over the years, the demand for food support has increased, leading the Pātaka Kai to expand from being open only twice a week to now serving our community every weekday morning. Our staff will also deliver groceries to whānau that we have assisted into housing who despite now having a roof over their head, may struggle to afford food due to low incomes. This is one of the many ways we support people to sustain their tenancy and one of our Noho Pai (Sustaining Tenancies) staff refers to this as “a hand-up, not a hand-out.”

Our Pātaka Kai relies on the generosity of the public, alongside strong partnerships with businesses like Pandoro, Kaibosh, Fix & Fogg, and many of the Wellington faith communities. Donations during food bank appeals and contributions at the New World Chaffers drop box throughout the year keep the shelves stocked so the support can continue.

Jaimie, Kaiāwhina Pātaka Kai (Food Bank Lead) acknowledges the whakamā (shame) some of our whānau may feel when seeking food but emphasises that our Pātaka Kai is a judgement-free space where everyone is treated like friends and family. "We want people to feel comfortable asking us for support, just as they would ask their own family," Jaimie states. She acknowledges times are tough for everyone, with the rising cost of living, and donations aren't always enough to meet the demand. Yet, our commitment to supporting our community remains the same.