COVID19 Fight: Tiwai Aluminium Smelter staff donate food and food vouchers to Southland's crisis helpers

On Friday morning, May 8, Tiwai Aluminium Smelter donated some groceries and grocery vouchers to the Southland Foodbank and the Salvation Army to lay support during this test of time due to COVID19.

Workers of the smelter visited the food bank on Friday to deliver the donations. According to chairman of the Southland Foodbank Peter Swain, this will indeed help the food bank as the pressure of its services mount.

Swain said the food bank was helping four to six families a day, but going ahead, the demand might increase as New Zealand moved to lower alert levels.

He acknowledged the generous help of the Southlanders who ensured the food bank could continue operating. He said someone even donated three cattle beef that could be processed into mince.

"As long as it comes in, we can give it out," Swain said. 

Sharing a similar sentiment, the Salvation Army's community ministries co-ordinator Brenda King said that they were helping 50 to 60 families a week, which might need to be increased in the coming time. The organisation saw a step up in demand from the second week of lockdown, said Brenda King.

"When the dust settles, people are still going to be in need," King said, urging Southlanders to continue donating where they could. 

Tiwai Community relations spokesperson Andrea Carson said that she was truly amazed by the generosity of her colleagues.

Sam Paton, who initiated the collection drive, said that she was conscious of being privileged to continue working during the lockdown and wanted to help the families who were struggling.

Paton also acknowledged the support of her colleagues who joined hands with her in this initiative.

She said, "It's the people who donate that make a difference."

Tiwai general manager Stewart Hamilton also expressed his pride for his staff’s efforts and the fact that they recognised they were privileged to be able to continue working.