27 July, 2020

Customer generosity sees an abundance of donations for New World Melody’s Foodbank Appeal

As the economic consequences from the COVID-19 crisis sets in, many Kiwi families are struggling to make ends meet this winter.

With more Kiwis’ struggling, foodbanks have seen a spike in demand as people who have never engaged with a social service agency reach out for help.

Community support is crucial in helping these social agencies reach those in need, which is the philosophy behind the New World Family2Family appeal.

New World Melody’s in Palmerston North supported the Methodist Social Services Foodbank as part of their Foodbank Appeal efforts. The generosity the store has seen from their customers since the Appeal started on 22 June has been so inspiring, that the store had to re-set their donation goal!

New World Melody’s spokesperson Morgan Melody says, “we have been positively overwhelmed by the kindness and generosity from our customers. The locals here in the Manawatu are incredibly resilient and are willing to go above and beyond for those who are less fortunate. Our initial goal of 650 donated bags, was blown out of the water with our final numbers totalling a whopping 1050 bags. We’ve been so inspired by our customers generosity, as this winter they will help many struggling families in the community.”

The store introduced pre-packed donation bags, making it easier for customers to donate in store. The pre-packed bags were $20 and contained foodbank-friendly goods such as flour, rice, tea, baked beans and pasta.

The store also hosted themed bag days. On these days, customers were encouraged to donate specific products such as cleaning and baby products. Melody says, “by having themed days, we wanted to encourage participating customers to donate goods outside of the traditional staples of flour, tinned goods and cereals. Themed donations ensured that there was wide range of products donated, adding variety to what the food banks traditionally receive, and to make a recipient’s day brighter with a little something special like a toy or treat.”

New World Melody’s ‘topped up’ their customers’ donations at the end of the Appeal with a pallet drop donation.

Kim Penny, General Manager of the Methodist Social Services Foodbank says, “We are humbled and grateful to the Manawatu community with how much they have donated and how they have gone above and beyond to participate in New World Melody’s Foodbank Appeal. We will be able to have such a positive and profound impact on those in our community who are struggling right now thanks to everyone’s generosity. We are thankful for our continued partnership with New World Melody’s as it has kept struggling families well fed for many years now.”

The New World Family2Family Foodbank Appeal has connected customers to their local community’s food bank. Foodbanks welcome donations year round as they continue to support those most in need.

Read the Manawatu Guardian article here.