By Josh Heslop
The Auckland City Mission is struggling to cope with the increased demand for food parcels this Christmas.
Hundreds of people have been queuing outside its Hobson St base throughout the week as the price of living and lack of jobs pushes some to breaking point.
Many have joined the queue for the first time. It began building at 6am this morning, and by mid-morning hundreds of people were backed up.
It is an indication the financial pressure of 2011 means many families feel they cannot get through the Christmas period without assistance.
“This is probably the hardest year I've ever seen at the mission,”
says Diane Robertson. “There are a lot of families who have been on minimum wages who, with the increase to GST and increase in costs all around, just are not coping anymore.”
Staff at the mission have been spending the whole day packing basic food parcels. Children's Christmas presents have also been set aside for those who need them.
It's a helping hand for those who have run out of options.
“They just need food, any food on their table and Christmas is a secondary thought for them,” says Ms Robertson.
The pressure to keep up with demand has been huge. For some, it's the first time they've had to ask for help.
“This is the first time we're using the Auckland City Mission because we've never really had to,” says Teina Teopu, “but this year has been a much harder year for us.”
Ms Teopu is out of a job at the moment, but in better times she contributed to the mission. Now's she's on receiving end.
She's surprised at how many people are facing the same difficulty.
“I actually thought it was only going to be us to get in there first, but no there was a long line. There was a lot of people.”
Already today the mission has served over 200 people, ensuring there will be food on their tables this Christmas.
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