Baskets of Blessing – The Heart And Soul of Our Community
They’re the hearts with arms and legs of the Wakatipu community. Baskets of Blessing’s contribution has been so great that should its army of some 40 willing volunteers cease to operate that would leave a massive void.
Started about 15 years ago by former local Tam Schurmann, Baskets of Blessing now serves an integral role in the Wakatipu and Central Otago’s social services.
In 2019 it became registered as a charitable trust – just in the nick of time. “It’s been getting busier ever since,” says Operations Manager Lee Nicolson. “Thankfully, we were geared up for the lifestyle changes that Covid and its restrictions and consequences have brought upon us.”
Demand for Baskets of Blessing’s nutritious frozen dinners, whipped up by local volunteers, including chefs, home cooks and retired country cooks, has escalated astronomically in recent years, as has demand for its food parcels and gift baskets.
Volunteers churned out 25,000 hours last year alone. They prepare and deliver some 400 meals a week, plus 25 - 40 food bags, and about 40 gift baskets a month.
Grateful recipients are always blown away by the much-welcomed kindness when it arrives at their door, with recipients anonymously nominated on the Baskets of Blessing website (www.basketsofblessing.co.nz).
The meals are prepared every Monday and Thursday at Arrowtown’s St John’s Presbyterian Church kitchen and hall with deliveries going out every Thursday.
“Our recipients are all facing unexpected life challenges, whether that be surgery, cancer treatment, struggles with a new-born baby, financial distress, bereavement, single parenting, anything,” says Lee.
Nominations come from across the community - midwives, nurses, counsellors, firefighters, teachers, or just caring family and friends. “Many people who are struggling don’t feel comfortable asking for help,” she says.
The frozen dinners – the likes of chicken casserole, beef stroganoff, lasagne, cottage pie and quiche are lifesavers to recipients, whipped up from ‘rescue food’ - produce and ingredients collected by Kiwi Harvest. “We use this food that supermarkets are obliged to discard by law, to cook and/or give to families or individuals finding things difficult,” says Lee.
Volunteers deliver the meals and food bags to those in need, using their own fuel and time, others make chutneys and crafts for the gift baskets, while some knit toys and baby clothing. Baskets of Blessing relies entirely on donations for these baskets from toiletries and baby products to gardening equipment, kids’ toys and goodies.
Lee says the team happily welcomes any newcomers or ‘walk-ins’ at its twice weekly cook-ups (St John’s Church Arrowtown – 10am – 1.30pm, Monday and Thursday).
“Every day we receive nominations of people needing help. Very few people realise the scale that our operation has grown into,” she says. “We’re so proud of the significant contribution that we’re making to people’s lives in their time of need.”
Many families are responding to some very complex issues whether they be mental, physical or financial, or all three. “We like to feel we’re helping them get back on their feet,” she says. “Meals make life easier when you can’t cook, or a box of food when you’re struggling, or a gift basket to show someone cares. That’s gold.”
Every year the output increases in volume as the need escalates. A high percentage of recipients then ‘pay it forward’ as volunteers.
Anything from $5 to an hour of time, or excess garden produce can be dropped off at selected volunteers’ homes.
To help see: www.basketsofblessing.co.nz
Email info@basketsofblessing.co.nz
Phone: 021957203
