Last week saw the launch of ‘Manaaki Kai’, a community service initiative. The ‘WIS Angels’, a group of enthusiastic, compassionate WIS students, have been cooking food to gift to people in our local community. They are developing a range of food parcels with the support of parents and members of the community. The ingredients used are donated to the Manaaki Kai initiative. Hamish one of our teacher aides and a group of students go twice a week to Kai Rescue to collect food, some of which wings its way to the WIS Angels.

Last Thursday, 26 October, 4 students, delivered five Manaaki Kai food parcels. Two were delivered to Jackie from ‘Giving Aroha’. Jackie works with the homeless in the Nelson region and has been coming along on a Wednesday afternoon to cook with our students. Jackie then passed the food parcels on to families who would appreciate it.

Two parcels were delivered to new mums, who were grateful that they had a night off thinking what to cook for tea. These had an additional baby themed biscuit in their parcel.

The final parcel was given to a family who would have appreciated the thought and some delicious kai.

If you are interested in hearing more about this exciting initiative or would like to donate ingredients or your time, please contact Jo Townsend (WIS Food Technology Teacher) at jot@waimeaint.school.nz

“Thank you Jo and the students at Waimea Intermediate for the lovely food we received. Everything was beautifully packed and tasted incredible. This was just what we needed after only having a total of two hours sleep the night before. You are all amazing!! Thanks again from Nardia, Brett, Maddie and baby Zac”.

Jackie Galland at ‘Giving Aroha’ posted on her fb page:“This afternoon I had a visit from the Manaaki Kai WIS Angels. They had made up a couple of bags of food for some of ours in need. Tonight I took the bags out to one of the emergency motels where I knew a few kids would really appreciate them.”