Foodbank and Financial Support

Community Networks/LINK food parcels are there for anyone struggling to make ends meet by taking some of the pressure off day-to-day living costs for a while.

The Foodbank is located in our offices at the Wānaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street and is well-stocked with a variety of canned, non-perishable and fresh items including veges, milk, bread and meat - all generously donated by the Wānaka community and local businesses.

If you’d like to sign up to receive a food parcel, contact our team or pop into the Hub.

Opening hours:

MONDAY: 1:00pm - 4:00pm

TUESDAY: 8:00am - 9:00am & 5:00pm - 6:00pm

WEDNESDAY: 11:00am - 2:00pm

FRIDAY: 10.00am - 2:00pm

Our team can also connect you to further support, like financial advice or a chat with our Social Worker, Heather Clay.

In November 2021, the Upper Clutha’s recently formed Food Security Network launched a series of community pantries, known locally as Community Produce Stands. The intention behind the project was to ensure that people in the community had access to healthy food on a regular basis whilst reducing food waste. They were constructed by the Wānaka Community Workshop with the help of Kahu Youth during their school holiday program.

The pantries have been a huge hit with lots of delicious produce coming and going daily.

They are located across the Upper Clutha:

Wānaka

• Wānaka Community Hub, 34 McDougall Street

• Wānaka Recreation Centre, 41 Sir Tim Wallis Drive

• Wānaka Wastebusters, Ballantyne Road

• Grow Wānaka, Outlet Road

Albert Town

• Sherwin Avenue

Hāwea

• Lake Hāwea Community Centre, 28 Myra Street

• Kanuka Corner Early Childhood Centre, Francis Lane

• Sharing Shed, Hāwea Flat

• Camphill Coffee, 546 Camp Hill Road, Hāwea Flat

Luggate

• Hopkins Street

Who can use them?

Absolutely anyone! You can use the stands to share fresh fruit and vegetables, eggs, herbs, jams, preserves, and baked goods. Whether it’s from your garden or the kitchen cupboard, anything you share is one less thing going to landfill – and by taking produce home, you combat food waste.

Community pantries only work if everyone gets involved so leave what you can and take what you need.

The Community Support Fund provides financial assistance to individuals and whānau living in the Upper Clutha for:

No Child Misses Out

• School-based costs for students such as uniforms, stationery, camp fees, etc

Household and Living Costs

• One-off household and living costs such as power and medical.

Eligibility Criteria:

• This fund is to support residents of Upper Clutha.

• Referrals must come from a social service or health professional who is able to assess means or understand a family’s financial situation (e.g. social worker, budget adviser, counsellor, GP)

• It is expected that all other funding sources have been explored including Work and Income, Upper Clutha Children’s Medical Trust, health and education funding streams

• Funding will not be provided where it is part of the core service obligations of any government or funded non-government agency (eg health, education, MSD)

• The funding must directly support the individual/whānau and their action plan

• If possible, the client is asked to contribute what they can

• This fund does not provide loans

Application Process:

• Referrer completes application form detailing the purpose (school-based and household living costs form here; counselling form here) and amount requested.

• A panel comprising the Community Networks/LINK Manager, Social Worker, and Trustee meet weekly to assess submitted applications

• A decision is emailed to the referrer within 10 business days of application

• The service provider emails invoices directly to Community Networks/LINK

For more information, contact us.

For mental health resources, head to our health and wellbeing page.

Wānaka is a beautiful place to live, but it’s not always an easy place to live.

Community Networks/LINK can offer some support in the form of vouchers for those financial necessities. For more information, give us a call or pop in and see us.

• WellSouth Vouchers - to assist families with the costs of visiting their GP and prescription costs. Strictly for patients who are unable to pay, and without the voucher would not visit their GP/Practice Nurse or pharmacy.

• Wastebusters vouchers - to assist with buying warm clothing and bedding from the Wānaka reuse shop.

• Petrol vouchers - for one-off fuel costs where no other option is available.

• Pool vouchers - entry to the Wanaka Pool and recreation facilities.