South Auckland man delivers 33,000 food parcels to Covid-19-impacted families

Ripu Bhatia Reporter from Community News

A Mangere resident has delivered thousands of food parcels to aid struggling families in the Covid-19 pandemic.

Darryl Vincent Evans, 56, is the chief executive of the Mangere Budgeting Services Trust in south Auckland, which has an in-house food bank.

Evans provided 23,000 food parcels to families and vulnerable pensioners during the first lockdown.

Across the whole of 2020 his organisation has delivered 33,000 food parcels across south Auckland.

Evans said the level of need “grew exponentially” throughout lockdown.

“We went from an organisation delivering 200 to 300 parcels a week, to providing 2850 in our busiest week,” he said.

Evans is a finalist in the Westfield Local Heroes competition, an annual event that awards $10,000 grants to community heroes.

Evans said he is “overwhelmed” to be nominated.

“The purpose of our organisation is to ensure every family have food on the table, and every family has access to essential wrap around services,” he said.

Winners are decided by a popular vote, and Evans said he would put the money towards a second food bank van.

The voting period for Westfield Local Heroes opened on Tuesday 25 August and closes on Monday 14 September.

To view finalists and cast your vote visit www.westfield.com.au...