Homeless. Not Hopeless.

41,600 people. A community larger than the West Coast, Taupo, and Blenheim. This is the number of people going to sleep across Aotearoa without a stable home tonight. Each person has a family, a story, and friends who they count on to keep them safe at a precarious time.

Our partner charity, Fair Food, joined its network of community groups to serve their friends and neighbours on World Homeless Day. This manaakitanga included free hair cuts, clean clothing, and kai. Fair Food volunteers shared around 200 care packs of muffins, chips, and bananas alongside tea, coffee, and hot chocolate. The homeless choir came together to provide entertainment during lunch. One woman reminded the crowd, “We are homeless, not hopeless.”

This theme of respect was echoed in many of the conversations alongside kai. People were able to relax and share their hobbies, backgrounds, and interests instead of just their struggles. Events like World Homeless Day are an opportunity for people to be seen, heard, and cared for as our neighbours instead of being dismissed or diminished because of their current circumstances.

“Affordable housing is rare in Auckland, and homelessness can happen unexpectedly. One third of New Zealanders have less than $500 in savings. Losing a job, facing an illness, or having your landlord decide to sell the home are examples of how many of us are actually only a few steps away from homelessness. Providing food is one way that we can alleviate the burden too many families are facing” ~ Fair Food General Manager, Michelle Blau.

Thanks to One Percent Collective supporters, Fair Food provides rescued kai to community meals, transitional housing facilities, family violence shelters, and a wide network of mental health and social services. More than 100 volunteers donate their time each week to prepare food for families who would otherwise go hungry.

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Words and images supplied by Fair Food.