The "linen lady'', Barbara Rowe, takes donated antique linen, and then repairs and starches it so that it looks new.
She then resells the linen on an online auction site to raise money for the Family Works foodbank.
Mrs Rowe is looking for linen donations to restore and sell.
Thirteen years ago, Mrs Rowe started teaching herself how to restore linen to sell in linen fairs at Mornington Presbyterian Church community centre.
When she found out how desperate people were for food packages, she started donating the money from her sales to Presbyterian Support Otago to help the foodbank.
Though she has been restoring linen for 13 years, Mrs Rowe is still learning as she goes.
"It depends what type of material it is and what the stains are. Some stains are 100 years old,'' she said.
"It's trial and error, but my standards are really high.''
Mrs Rowe has had 100% positive feedback from her sales. When she started, she did not know where to begin.
"It was an unknown adventure. Old linen is quality, but it does get stains.''
It takes Mrs Rowe many hours to restore one piece of linen, but the work is a labour of love for her.
"I really enjoy restoring antique and vintage linen, so future generations can treasure it and enjoy it.''
She has a small team of helpers from Mornington Church who help her by repairing seams and replacing stitches.
Mrs Rowe lists the linen items online between April and December, but between times she works on restoring - doing cleaning, stain removal, starching and ironing.
Anyone who has linen they wish to donate is welcome to drop it into Presbyterian Support Otago, at 407 Moray Pl.
