Whangaparāoa resident Julie King works tirelessly to support vulnerable and financially struggling people in her area.
She manages Love Soup, an organisation that collects and redistributes food donated by local and national suppliers to people in the Hibiscus Coast community.
Adversity inspires community service
Julie says her own experience of living in adversity has inspired her to help others.
“As a young girl I remember going hungry and looking for food in rubbish bins,” she says.
“I was homeless for a period of time and lived rough on the streets – it’s a tough place to be.”
Housing costs hit Aucklanders
Albany Ward Councillor John Watson thanks Julie for her work.
“The rise in the cost of housing has affected many Aucklanders, including people in our area, and winter can be the toughest time for our most vulnerable,” he says.
“We’re incredibly lucky to have Julie working for our community.”
Auckland Council and Hibiscus and Bays Local Board proudly support Julie and her services to the community via community grants.