Ongoing Support for Aratupu Preschool
For some time now, any suitable dessert left over on a Thursday night has been taken to Aratupu Preschool, where it has been welcomed with open arms and big smiles.
Aratupu is run by the Methodist Mission and supports families in the Northcote, Papanui and Bryndwr areas. The majority of children at Aratupu are from young single parent families who rely on a benefit or a low income with 95% receiving the WINZ childcare subsidy. The families mainly come from areas of Christchurch with high levels of poverty.
What is unique about Aratupu is the presence of Annie Smith, the on-site Whānau Support Worker. Annie provides wrap-around support to parents with children at Aratupu, ranging from food parcels and help with parenting through to supporting families to navigate the school system and assistance with school costs for their school-aged children.
"Aratupu is a gateway for families in the community to receive the help they need", says Annie. "Often these families just need a helping hand to get through a particularly tough time."
Papanui Rotary has been assisting Aratupu for several years in several different ways. Our desserts from now on won't be provided just for us so the Board of Directors supported Deryn's idea of baking for Aratupu each week.
With that in mind we would like to draw up a roster of those interested in baking, or supplying bought baking, and delivering it each week. They are happy to receive any baking, biscuits, cake, slices, loaves etc., as long as it doesn't have whole nuts or any other ingredients that are large and chunky.
If we can get 12 interested people among our members and Friends of Rotary, you would only be called upon 4 times per year. If you can't deliver it yourself then it can be taken to Thursday night meetings and delivered on your behalf.
Please email Deryn at datregurtha@gmail.com or call her on 021 161 5861 if you can help with this worthy project.