St Anne's Pantry has continued operating during Level 3 & 4 phases of the NZ Covid-19 pandemic response. The graphic above vividly illustrates how deliveries have grown especially during April. As an essential service we have delivered grocery parcels most days with many referrals coming via the Porirua Emergency Operations Centre.

​The update report below highlights how need has grown as many  recipients of food parcels have put their hand up in the light of serious income decline through the pandemic. The Pantry has experienced an unprecedented rise in financial and other support which has ensured generous deliveries of groceries to Porirua households.

Along with other Pantries/Foodbanks nationwide, St Anne's Pantry has experienced a record level of emergency food requests during Easter week 2020.

In the midst of the Covid-19 level 4 lockdown, 45 food parcels were delivered during the week beginning Wednesday before Easter to the Tuesday after. St Anne's Pantry is one of the emergency services that the Porirua Emergency Operation Centre (Welfare) is using to meet emergency need requests.

The Pantry has benefited from its ongoing relationship with Kiwi Community Assistance (KCA) who have supplied increased quantities of groceries as other supply sources reduced during the lockdown. A generous grant from the MSD has enabled the Pantry to buy groceries in short supply and ensure that food parcels were generously supplied. In addition, donors new and old have not forgotten that St Anne's Pantry provides a much needed resource in our City at this time.

To all who have supported St Anne's Pantry during this time our heartfelt thanks is offered.

We read in the Gospel of Matthew 25:40 that such support is noticed by God,

Anglicans from Titahi Bay, Ranui and Porirua East joined Māori sisters and brothers in Christ at the Rota Waitoa Church in Elsdon for an Ash Wednesday evening service. The Rota Waitoa whanau welcomed us and shared a te reo Māori liturgy with us as we worshipped accompanied on guitar by Archdeacon Reverend Tiaki in a service led by Deacon Reverend Rochelle. The Holy Communion was presided over by Reverend Kura, Porirua Anglican Priest in Charge Reverend Terry preached on our identity in Christ and Titahi Bay Priest Reverend Casey led prayers. Those present were anointed with ash and oil by the clergy in the service of imposition of ashes.
Those who attended rejoiced in the opportunity to experience a service in te reo Māori and to realise our oneness in Christ. A fine evening was sealed with traditionally generous hospitality as we drank and ate sitting at tables covered with red table cloths.