Charity Cookbook Launch Palmerston North

Media Release: Charity Cookbook Launch Palmerston North

Charity launches cookbook to fundraise for thousands of hungry children

A humble winter soup appeal in Palmerston North has inspired the launch of a fundraising cookbook, which aims to help a New Zealand charity feed thousands of hungry, abandoned and vulnerable children around the world.

The inspiration for the Ladle Me Happy cookbook came from Palmerston North-based chef and long-time Orphans Aid International supporter, Taka Moriyama, who has raised over $30,000 for the charity by making and selling delicious soups in his local community.

Originally from Japan, Mr Moriyama moved to New Zealand with his wife only a few weeks after their wedding day in 2005. However, it was during a flight back to his homeland in 2009 when he first became aware of New Zealand-based Orphans Aid International’s efforts to help abandoned and vulnerable children while watching the charity’s first documentary ‘Someone Somewhere Loves Me’.

“On my return to New Zealand, the enormity of the orphans’ stories was still playing on my mind and I started thinking about how I could help,” says Mr Moriyama.

His soup fundraising idea had humble beginnings, with about half a dozen people on the initial order list. Eight years on Mr Moriyama, or “SoupER Man” as he is affectionately called, is regularly supplying up to 25 customers and their families on a standing order each weekend, with an average production of 60 litres of soup.

Orphans Aid International’s CEO Sue van Schreven says the soup fundraiser’s success has helped the charity feed thousands of hungry mouths during New Zealand’s winter months, particularly in India.

“Taka wasn’t someone who just talked about his fundraising idea, he actually had the grit and determination to make it happen.

“So, when we began receiving requests for soup recipes in 2012, we saw an opportunity to tell the story of his fundraising success, as well as the many children who have been helped by his wonderful group of dedicated, humble and hardworking people in Palmerston North.”

Combining fourteen of Mr Moriyama’s most popular soup recipes with dishes inspired by Orphans Aid International’s projects, plus the home cooked favourites from many of the charity’s staff and supporters, Mrs van Schreven says Ladle Me Happy is a testament to the charity’s thousands of supporters, volunteers, advocates and staff.

“We would also like to acknowledge the support of the Wharerata Function Centre for the generous gift of the venue for our book launch and fundraising dinner on 18 August, and the many local produce suppliers who are donating the ingredients for the meal,” says Mrs van Schreven.

ENDS

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