New Kaiapoi supermarket owners back food bank appeal

Nicole Mathewson Reporter from Northern Outlook

The new owners of New World Kaiapoi will match the first $2500 in donations to the Kaiapoi Food Bank Appeal.

Gareth and Laura Caldwell became owner-operators of the New World supermarket in Kaiapoi two months ago, and said they wanted to support the community.

“We recognise how challenging the cost of living is for people right now. When Laura and I heard that requests for food parcels at the Kaiapoi Food Bank had more than doubled in the last year, we were very keen to lend our support to their fundraising appeal," Gareth Caldwell said.

Community Wellbeing North Canterbury Trust manager Deirdre Ryan said the Caldwells' support could not have come at a better time.

"Parents are doing their very best to care for their children, but they can’t make ends meet.

"They’re being squeezed by the cost of food, fuel, rent, electricity and lack of affordable housing."

Cost of living increases also meant funds to buy food for the food bank were not going as far as they used to.

"Demand for food parcels always rises in the lead-up to Christmas, but it’s so high already," Ryan said.

"I’m really concerned about how we’re going to keep up. That’s why I created this fundraising appeal."

"Every dollar donated to our Appeal becomes $2 when it’s matched by New World Kaiapoi, meaning twice the number of children in our community will be saved from hunger."

Before taking ownership of New World Kaiapoi, the Caldwells owned and operated Raeward Fresh in Richmond, near Nelson.

"New World Kaiapoi is a community-based store, in the heart of a wonderful, tight-knit community ... that really appealed to us and was a big part of our decision to move here," Laura Caldwell said.

Donations to the Kaiapoi Food Bank Appeal can be made online at www.wellbeingnc.org.nz...

Any amount donated will be matched by New World Kaiapoi until the appeal raises $2500.