The silly season will be here soon, and the Salvation Army foodbank is expecting to be “slammed” as living costs, inflation, food prices and Covid-19 affect Central residents who manage their money week-to-week.

Community ministries support worker Diane Barbara said they will take “anything and everything” for the foodbank.

“Demand for the foodbank is definitely starting to pick up again,” she said.

She said they are always short on meat, dairy and eggs.

“Variety does help… It differs each week what we might be short of.”

The Salvation Army, which runs the food bank, provides around 100 Christmas hampers to people struggling in Central, on top of regular food parcels for people referred to them.

The Christmas hampers contain food for Christmas Day and some treats, like scorched almonds, along with other small household goods like toiletries.

Diane said they were in need of toys, and small items such as a new soap or face cloth to include for Christmas.

“We cover everybody… and we are grateful for anything.”

With Covid-19 case numbers growing in Central’s community Diane is bracing herself to ramp up Covid parcels again. 

Food for around four days is included and delivered to people in isolation with Covid-19, who cannot go shopping.  

Stats NZ said food prices were 10.1 per cent higher in October 2022 compared with October 2021, in numbers released last week.

Consumer prices senior manager Nicola Growden said it was the highest annual increase since November 2008.

Compared with October last year grocery food prices increased by 9.7 per cent, fruit and vegetable prices increased by 17 per cent, meat, poultry, and fish prices increased by 10 per cent, restaurant meals and ready-to-eat food prices increased by 7.5 per cent and non-alcoholic beverage prices increased by 8.7 per cent. 

Drop off food or Christmas items at 37 Royal Terrace, between 8.30am - 12 noon weekdays

If you would like to help or need more information call the Salvation Army on (03) 448 9436.