A team of about 30 volunteers makeup Selwyn Bellyful, a charity that delivers food to families with newborn babies or young children who are struggling with illness.
Bellyful is a national charity with 22 branches across the country.
Selwyn co-ordinator Jeraldine Teng said they have been operating in the district for about three years.
“Our main focus group is families with no support nearby. We sort of have the philosophy it takes a village to raise a village. We’re trying to be a part of that community and to help out,” she said.
Ms Teng said being in Selwyn does pose a challenge due to the large geographical area they cover.
“It’s such a big district and we have a lot of families, particularly in farming communities, who are very isolated. We are trying to reach out and bring awareness that we are a charity and we are here to support families who need our help.”
The meals are completely free of charge and there is no obligation for anything, just register online.
“We don’t look at your finances or socio-economic status or anything like that. If you need it, we will deliver the food as soon as we can.”
To prepare the meals, the charity fundraises and then hires out the kitchen in the Lincoln Event Centre about once a month.
Volunteers then take part in a ‘cookathon’ where upwards of 120 meals are made and then stored in satellite freezers in Lincoln and Rolleston.
Mrs Teng said in the last year Bellyful Selwyn has delivered 348 meals and cooked 504.
Eighty-five families in the district have received food from the charity.
“There are four standard recipes throughout the country. Red lentil soup for gluten free and vegetarians, spaghetti bolognese, lasagna and mac and cheese so it’s all very Kiwi food,” she said.
Ms Teng has only been the branch co-ordinator for about a year.
She initially joined Bellyful Selwyn after moving to the district and wanting a sense of community.
“I am new to Selwyn. I only moved here with my family last year and I like to be a part of the community and get to know people but I also like to give back. For me it’s always about knowing your neighbours, it’s a very important value I have and community spirit is important to me.’’
The community has really got behind the initiative, Ms Teng said.
“Our volunteers are quite spread out across the district. We have some in Tai Tapu,some in Southbridge and all over. We would always love more though.”
