A flurry of late donations has enabled the Auckland City Mission to hand out hundreds of extra food parcels on the final day of its Christmas drive.
Food and gift parcels. Photo: RNZ / Eva Corlett
Hundreds of people queuing for assistance in Auckland have been turned away over the last fortnight as the mission grapples with record demand.
City Missioner Chris Farrelly said they were able to give food parcels and Christmas presents to about 1,000 families this morning.
"With that and our own staff working overnight we've been able to cater for every single person today through our doors," Mr Farrelly said.
Yesterday, PAK'NSAVE donated $15,000 to the charity and the Auckland District Health Board donated $17,000.
Individuals had been generous too, Mr Farrelly added.
"Individuals have just dropped us off a little something, corporates have done something, it's a whole mixture.
"There's not a single part of the community that isn't getting behind us. We've got hundred of volunteers coming in today helping us," Mr Farrelly said.
To wrap up a busy fortnight for the Mission, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited one of the Christmas drive sites this morning.