Serving Our Fellow Brother and Sister
Alongside learning about social issues through regular school visits, the youth team also find ways to connect students with local service projects. These include partaking in winter food and clothing appeals, assisting a local opshop, cooking bulk meals for foodbanks or running after school programmes for children in need. Each of these in turn provide an avenue for face to face contact, and for youth to develop long lasting connections with the community.
Winter Food and Clothing Appeals
Across the last few months we were truly grateful to receive over 10,000 canned goods on behalf of the many families in need within Auckland. Each year, the students of numerous colleges never cease to falter in their care for the community. Through through this collection, St Vincent de Paul foodbanks across Auckland were able to remain well stocked; allowing the Society to divert resources towards preventing food insecurity among families. This comes at a very important time, as the cold weather has led to many families needing our services. A total of 142 foodparcels were distributed from the Kingsland foodbank in the month of May alone.
Donations from:
- Baradene College
- St Peters College
- Marist College
- Liston College
- Rosmini College
- Carmel College
- Sancta Maria College
- McAuley High School
Liston College Vinnies
Baradene College Vinnies
Marist College Vinnies
Opshop Assistance
After school, Marist, St Mary’s, St Peter’s and St Paul’s College each take turns assisting at the Kingsland Vinnies Centre. These are an opportunity to see firsthand where their donations go to, and what it takes to prepare food parcels for those who come through the door. Many who enter the opshop feel a sense of happiness as they encounter the students’ gentle yet energetic personalities; a welcome sight amidst the cold weather outside. The students spend a couple of hours each day sorting through donations, maintaining the opshop and packing food parcels in advance.
St Mary’s College
Marist College
St Peter’s College
St Paul’s College
Bulk meals for foodbanks
As the winter season unfolds, the ability for families to source hot and nutritional food is often underestimated. In order to meet this need, the South Area Vinnies devised a plan to address it. At the St Vincent de Paul Centre in Otahuhu; Sancta Maria, De La Salle College and McAuley High School have opted to cook bulk meals to be included with regular foodparcels for individuals and families that need the added sustenance. This marks the beginning of a new relationship between the South Auckland schools and the Vincentians in the area. While learning how to cook, the students continue to forge new connections with the elder Vinnies and Vincentians who guide them along the way.
De La Salle College
McAuley High School
Sancta Maria College