Here are some local foodbanks, pātaka kai and food rescue operations that provide free access to kai.
Central Lower Hutt
Address: 134 High Street, Central Lower Hutt
Contact: huttfoodbank@gmail.com | 04 568 7392
Open hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday: 9:00 AM – 11:30 AM. Closed Thursdays and public holidays.
Eligibility: Open to all Lower Hutt residents. Please bring ID on your first visit.
How to access: Visit during open hours to receive a food parcel.
How to support: Donations of food and funds are welcome.
More information: For information on how to donate or volunteer, visit the Lower Hutt Foodbank website.
Address: Corner of Kings Crescent & Cornwall Street, Lower Hutt
Contact: huttcity.corps@salvationarmy.org.nz | (04) 570 0273
Open hours: Monday, Wednesday & Friday, 9:30am to 11.30am (Not open on Public Holidays).
How to access: Please ring or come in to book a time slot for the food bank store.
How to support: Contact to arrange a donation or drop it off at the church.
More information: Salvation Army Hutt Corps website
Address: 42 Laings Road, Lower Hutt (on the Myrtle Street side of Annesbrook Church)
Contact: pantry.lowerhutt@gmail.com
Open hours: Always open
How to access: Open to everyone.
How to support: Take what you need, leave what you can.
More information: Pātaka Kai/Community Pantry on Facebook
Stokes Valley
Address: 162 Stokes Valley Road (In the hall behind the stone church)
Contact: stokesvalleyfoodbank@gmail.com | 027 557 0248
Open Hours: Mondays 12:00 PM – 12:30 PM. For other days, please contact via email or facebook before 12 PM to receive a food parcel the same day.
Eligibility: Open to all Lower Hutt residents.
How to Access: Show up during open hours to collect a food parcel (please bring your own bags if possible). Or call outside of open hours to organise support.
How to Support: Donations of food and money are welcome. A permanent collection bin for donations is available at New World supermarket in Stokes Valley. Contact the foodbank directly for more information on how to donate or volunteer.
More information: Stokes Valley Foodbank on Facebook
Address: 184 Stokes Valley Road (Located in the Koraunui Stokes Valley Hub)
Contact: stokesvalleykai@gmail.com
Open Hours: Thursdays: Cooking begins at 10 AM, Kai Share from 11 AM
Eligibility: Everyone is welcome.
How to Access: Show up during open hours. This initiative includes freshly cooked lunches made by volunteers. Those receiving food are encouraged to volunteer with preparation.
How to Support: Community members can donate surplus food or garden produce. Donations can be brought to the Hub by 10:30 AM on Thursday mornings. Volunteers are always needed to help with food preparation at 10am. Contact via Facebook for more details.
More information: Stokes Valley Kai Facebook
Address: 319 George Street, Stokes Valley
Open Hours:
How to Access: Contact the club or visit during open hours.
Naenae
Address: 427 Cambridge Terrace, Naenae
Contact: 027 431 5852
Open hours: Monday-Wednesday 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM, Thursday 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM, Friday 8:30 AM – 1:00 PM
How to access: This Pātaka is located in a private carport. Show up during open hours and take what you need. Bring your own bags if possible.
How to support: Donations can be placed in the designated donation box at the door. Please do not place donations directly on the Pātaka shelves.
Address: 237 Cambridge Terrace, Naenae
Contact: theoasis.office@gmail.com
How to Support: Contact Oasis Church directly for information on donations and volunteering.
Pomare / Taita
Address: Pomare Community Hall, 53 Farmer Crescent
Open Hours: Thursdays, 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
How to Access: Community members are welcome to come and collect food, including fish heads and frames from The Kai Ika Project - Wellington.
How to Support: Community members can contribute by donating surplus food or volunteering.
Address: Pomare Community Hall, 53 Farmer Crescent
Contact: manager@pomaretaitatrust@gmail.com
Open Hours: Tuesdays 10am – 2pm (closes early if food runs out)
How to Access: Drop in during open hours
How to Support: Donations of food gratefully accepted. Contact via email above or drop off during open hours.
Address: Walter Nash Neighbourhood Hub, 22 Taine Street, Taitā
Contact: (04) 560 1090
Open Hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9am - 1pm
How to Access: Drop into the hub and select from the kai available. Take your own bags.
Wainuiomata
Address: 31 Wise Street, Wainuiomata
Contact: patakakai@kokiri-hauora.org.nz | 0800 926 257 |
Open Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.00am – 2.00pm
How to Access: Community members are welcome to come and collect food, including fish heads and frames from The Kai Ika Project - Wellington.
How to Support: Community members can contribute by donating surplus food or volunteering.
More information: Kokiri Marae Pataka kai Facebook