22 Apr 16 |
Kaibosh has officially launched its Lower Hutt branch, hosting an event on Thursday evening to thank its many supporters for their contribution to getting the award-winning food rescue organisation’s second branch up and running.
With the help of 40 dedicated volunteers, Kaibosh Lower Hutt now works with 8 regular food donors – including 5 Countdown supermarkets – and supports 12 community groups, including Kokiri Marae, Lower Hutt Food Bank and Refugee Trauma Recovery.
Students from Arohanui Strings, another of Kaibosh’s recipient community groups, performed at the opening event.
Over the last few months, Kaibosh has focused on rescuing and providing food in Lower Hutt and Wainuiomata, recently expanding to serve Upper Hutt as well.
Lower Hutt Operations Manager Jen Gibson says “It’s amazing to have the support of so many people in the Hutt who care about good food going to waste when there are people in need in our community. With our chiller truck and our newly installed walk-in chiller, Kaibosh’s capacity has grown, allowing us to accommodate more food donors and provide fresh food to more community groups.”
Since the standalone branch began operations in late 2015, Kaibosh Lower Hutt has provided the equivalent of more than 47,000 meals to local community groups, as well as reducing carbon emissions by 13 tonnes.