FEED the WHANAU

Ngāruawāhia is a town in the Waikato region. The name of the town means, ‘the opened food pits’ and is taken from a 17th-century love story between Te Ngaere, a Waikato chief and Heke-I-te-rangi, a Ngāti Maniapoto woman. It is also a strategic base for Waikato-Tainui and with the Kingitanga. 

A family friend, Jody and her friends, Kelly, Sheryl, Marcella, Lynn, Vicki and Glennis recently started cooking classes in their Ngaruawahia church. (Called ‘The Village Church’). The food, cooking utensils and even a fridge were/are donated by generous and kind members. 

Classes were started as a meaningful response to the current cost of living crisis and the ever present need for connection and relationship building within their community. The classes are called ‘Feed the Whanau’ and are based on a similar programme initiated in Wellington called ‘Wellfed’. It enables Jody and her friends to share their passions and skills as foodies in a friendly, no obligation way with locals who turn up at the classes. It also aims to connect families around their home dinner table, kitchen and for children to participate too. 

One of the participants said, “The ‘sausage rolls plus’ were a hit. We have had them three times already. Thanks so much for all your teaching. This food is such a blessing that I can share with all my whanau (family) and the meal is affordable and filling”.              
What a perfect name and meaning for the town.

POINTS to PONDER
You want to help people? Make it happen. Kindness requires action.

Use your interests, passions and skills to launch new initiatives in the community that you live in.

Relationship building should be a priority. Everything good comes from positive relationships.