Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Salvation Army Offering Support For Increasing Number Of People In Need

Salvation Army emergency welfare, addiction and housing support services are continuing to serve the vulnerable, albeit in a modified way, in line with lock-down protocols.

Those in need should ring WINZ in the first instance, and ask family and friends for help where possible.

“We are hopeful that most people have whānau, friends or work colleagues who can help them at this time, however, we know many people do not,” Assistant Territorial Secretary for Mission, Captain Gerry Walker says.

“We are expecting more and more families to be under financial strain in the coming weeks,” he says.

The Salvation Army is concerned about the growing demand for food from people who are finding themselves struggling to buy groceries due to the Covid-19 lock down.

“Our individual and corporate partners are being very generous in helping us help those who are struggling. We are calling on those New Zealanders who are in a position to help, to keep our food banks stocked by donating to The Foodbank Project, our online foodbank, at www.foodbank.org.nz.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

They can also place non-perishable items in our purple bins at Countdown Supermarkets.”

Foodbank demand has risen by a third this week, with particular spikes in Auckland and Northland, and increased demand in Christchurch.

A list of Salvation Army services still operating is included on our website www.salvationarmy.org.nz, under the ‘Get Help’ page. The site also contains phone numbers for Salvation Army centres throughout New Zealand.

The Salvation Army National Director Addictions, Supportive Accommodation and Reintegration Services (ASARS) Lt-Colonel Lynette Hutson says that as families come under increasing financial strain, issues such as drug and alcohol addiction and problem gambling can come to the fore.

“This a difficult time for all New Zealanders, and we will do our best to provide support to those in need,” she says.

“We are doing things a bit differently during the lock down, but we are still there to help people.”

The Salvation Army Bridge continues to operate both residential and community-based alcohol and other drug treatment services, across New Zealand.

With the threat of the spread of COVID-19 and in accordance with the directive of the NZ Government, all Bridge services have now moved to Alert Level 4 of the New Zealand alert system as follows:

Bridge Residential services continue to deliver safe, integrated and evidence-based engagement with tangata whaiora and can be contacted by phone or email for referrals. There is a suspension on all visitors to our facilities until further notice.

Bridge Community services are providing and will continue to provide 1:1 and group support and contact through phone and social media platforms, with office locations closed and face to face contact suspended, until further notice. Please visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz/Bridge for more information, or phone 0800 53 00 00.

Supportive Accommodation/Transitional Housing services continue to operate across the country for those already in residence. Limited referrals may be considered, depending on availability of services. Visit https://www.salvationarmy.org.nz/housing for more information.

Oasis service continues during the lockdown. Support and information for those impacted by gambling harm, including family and whānau, is now provided online (via email and/or streaming live video) and over the phone during the lock-down. Visit www.salvationarmy.org.nz/Oasis and check the locations link for direct access to Oasis services, or call 0800 53 00 00 for more information.

The Salvation Army Community Finance team can speak to people experiencing financial hardship via a phone call or Skype session. We are acutely aware that people in debt may be extremely concerned about repaying loans at this time. For more information, call 0800 854 009.

“The key message is that New Zealanders need to help each other as much as they are able, at this time,” Captain Walker says.

“The Salvation Army is there for those who have no one to turn to. These people are our whānau and it is our responsibility to express our manaakitanga in the community.”

© Scoop Media

 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.