Addington Action - Helping to feed Christchurch residents

Posted on 10 July 2012 | 0 Comments

Addington Action Committee was established by local residents the day following the February earthquake. The group got together in response to the overwhelming need in and around Addington. Since then the organisation has helped 500 families.

From day one, the plan was to organise Addington residents in 64 streets to work together. In the first 18 days, 150 volunteers joined in. The group was involved in building long-drops in parks to help control disease, providing clean water, organising security, looking after the elderly and lost pets, cleaning up the rubble into neat street piles for later removal by Civil Defense and providing hugs and support for people.

Today, many people in Christchurch are going hungry through no fault of their own. So Addington Action is organising the following to make food more affordable and easily accessible: 

  • Vegetable gardens
  • Christchurch South Fruit and Veggie Co-op
  • Food parcels
  • Harvesting tree fruit for making jams and preserves
  • Hunting parties
  • Ensuring everyone knows about the Emergency Food Grants available from WINZ

The Christchurch South Fruit and Veggie Co-op: is a fantastic initiative where people can spend $10 on packs of fresh fruit and veggies which are worth $20-$30 in the shops. These vege packs can be ordered from the following local distribution centres on Wednesdays. Anyone is welcome to join.

  • Generation Health (ph 965 1021)
    Kidsfirst Kindergarten Selwyn St: 266 Selwyn St, Addington
    Manuka Cottage:7 Dickens St, Addington - 11am - 3pm
  • Opawa Baptist Church: 285 Wilsons Rd, Waltham - 10.30am - 2pm
  • St John of God Waipuna: Cnr Pages & Woodham Rd - 10.30am - 1.30pm
    Sydenham Community Centre: 25-27 Hutchison St, Sydenham - 10.30am - 12 noon
  • Sydenham Salvation Army
  • West Spreydon School: 147 Lyttleton St, Spreydon - 2.50 - 3.30pm

More distribution centres are being set up so that there is one in easy walking distance of every family. Call Addington Action on 980 0902 or 027 2105 042 for more information.