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,

During 2019 the Operation of St Anne's Pantry has been reviewed. The Review was prompted by the retirement of key volunteers Diane & Bob Stuart and Val Grace. The review process considered all aspects of the Pantry's operation and concluded that its continued operation is warranted, if key personnel are found and other concerns are satisfied. 

An informal meeting of Porirua Anglican Vestry members on 16 November 2019 agreed to the continuation of St Anne's Pantry on the following basis:

• Sofia Ali & Margaret Alve will, in the interim, co-facilitate the Pantry operation.
• Sofia and Margaret will liaise with the retiring Pantry Facilitators, Diane & Bob Stuart and Val Grace, with a view  to ensuring a seamless transition.
• Key Stakeholders will be advised of this decision promptly and kept regularly informed about Pantry operations.
• The Pantry Storage will be relocated.
• St Anne's congregation members and others will be recruited and trained to assist with the Pantry operation.
• Travel allowances will be offered to those who use vehicles as part of the Pantry operation.
• The Facilitators will explore further ways of integrating the operation of St Anne's Pantry with the community life of the Porirua Anglican Church.
• Porirua Anglican Parish operate a Pantry bank account (BNZ account: 02 0548 0035743 083). Please indicate name and phone number for reference if you donate finance.

We are delighted that  key volunteers have been found to operate the Pantry into 2020. May we all pray for and support Sofia and Margaret as they spearhead the Pantry operation. Also let's pray for our Porirua community: that no one will go to bed at night hungry.