Wanaka's Community Networks has been forced to approach local businesses to try to stave off the effects of a decrease in funding as government departments cut back their services, despite increasing levels of demand from those needing support.
Community Networks manager Shirley Boyes told Wanaka Community Board members yesterday there was a real threat the social provider may fold as staff struggle to meet increasing demands amid funding shortfalls.
"We are scraping the barrel and don't know how long we will be able to survive," she said.
The organisation, which had provided services for the community "for so long", had been forced to approach the business community for help, she said.
Her pleas to board members painted a grim picture and came at a time when demand for social services in Wanaka had soared.
"Many locals have lost their jobs and their search for work in the area has been unsuccessful. We are left to try and pick up the pieces," she said.
More than 400 people had approached Community Networks to try to access Work and Income-related support - up by more than 150 on the same time last year.
Since January, about 3483 people had accessed some form of Community Networks services - an increase of 5470 people compared with the first six months of 2008, Mrs Boyes said.
Community Networks was being hit hard by increased overheads and staff workloads, as government departments tightened their belts and reduced their visits to Wanaka, she told board members.
Rental income derived from providing office space for visiting staff from government departments such as Work and Income and Heartland Services, which incorporates ACC, Inland Revenue, and Community Probation, had dried up.
Reduced visits meant Community Networks and its funding parent the Alpine Community Development Trust were incurring debt, and staff were having to take on more responsibilities to meet extra workloads.
Wanaka Community Board members seemed at a loss as to what they could do to help the troubled social service provider.
Alpine Community Development Trust spokesman Bruce MacAndrew told board members the aim was to continue to provide the social assistance needed by the community.
"Financing these services are a real concern."
The trust was investigating sponsorship proposals to meet projected shortfalls in funding.
