Auckland Council is supporting Auckland City Mission – Te Tāpui Atawhai to bring Christmas joy to Aucklanders in need.
The Mission’s annual Auckland’s Angels appeal will help provide festive food parcels and gifts for individuals and families who would otherwise go without.
Collection points for food and gift donations will be set up at the council’s service centres, libraries and pool and leisure centres from Monday 14 November until Friday 9 December, between 9am and 4pm.
Last year, the Mission gave out 36,000 gifts to tamariki and 10,930 Christmas food parcels to Aucklanders in need.
Auckland Deputy Mayor Desley Simpson says Christmas can be a tough time for those already on a tight budget and this initiative will see donations go directly to our most vulnerable families and communities in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.
“Christmas is meant to be a joyous time where we get to celebrate and relax with our friends and family.
“However the extra costs and pressure that come with the holiday season means for some, they might not be able to celebrate it in a way that they would like to.
“This is an opportunity for us to come together to support those in need and help ease some of their stress and worry this Christmas.
“We are proud to be supporting this initiative and our hope is that by rolling out the collection points we are making it easier for Aucklanders to get involved with this great cause.
“If you are in a position to support, every donation, no matter how big or small, helps to make a positive difference in our communities.”
Auckland City Mission Manutaki Helen Robinson says the cost of living is making things harder for many families across Tāmaki Makaurau and the Mission is grateful for the council’s continuous support.
“The rising cost of living is causing real hardship for many in our communities and we are expecting a record demand for parcels over Christmas.
“We can only do what we do because of the generosity of Aucklanders.
“Whether it’s providing families with what they need to be able to cook a Christmas dinner or gifts for tamariki to open on Christmas day, a little goes a long way and every donation will help those in need to make Christmas a little special this year.
“With many collection points set up across the region, it’s easy to make a difference and be someone’s angel this Christmas.”
How to donate
- You can leave your food or gift donation at a collection point at one of the council’s service centres, libraries or pool and leisure centres
- Order a gift online and have it delivered directly to the Auckland City Mission’s Distribution Centre at 15 Auburn Street, Grafton 1023. Please mark all gifts for the attention of Auckland's Angels.
- Drop off your gift at the Mission’s Distribution Centre at 15 Auburn Street, Grafton from 9am-3pm, Monday to Saturday. The final day for drop-offs at the centre is Friday 16 December.
What is needed?
Food parcel items
Below is a list of non-perishable items that go into Mission food parcels at Christmas time:
- Tinned vegetables, such as tomatoes, corn, peas or beans
- Tinned soup
- Baked beans and tinned spaghetti
- Tinned fruit
- Tinned meat and fish
- Pasta sauce, pasta and rice
- Breakfast cereal and muesli bars
- Spreads, such as jam, peanut butter or honey
- Flour and sugar
- Christmas treats, such as mince pies, biscuits and chocolate
- Baby food
- Nappies
- Toilet rolls
- Soap and shampoo
- Feminine hygiene products
- Deodorant
Gift ideas
Donations of new, unwrapped gifts for children and teenagers are hugely appreciated. Please do not gift clothes as it is difficult to allocate sizes. Here are a few popular gift ideas:
Infants
Rattles, night lights, bath toys, teething rings
Toddlers
Bath toys, puzzles, soft toys, Duplo, pull-along toys
Primary school
Puzzles, dress-ups, dolls/action figures, Lego, craft kits, toy cars, animal figurines
Teenagers
Sports ball, scarfs, hats, beach towels, toiletries, gift voucher or Prezzy card
Family/All Ages
Board games, books, stationery, reusable drink bottles, toiletries, gift voucher or Prezzy card
For further information about Auckland’s Angels, visit the Auckland City Mission’s website.
