Mission issues urgent call for donations.

The Auckland City Mission is urgently calling for donations as this year’s Winter Appeal struggles to meet target.

Every year the Mission holds a major fundraising appeal during winter to raise money for its services, which come under tremendous pressure as the colder weather sets in.

With three weeks to go the appeal is $100,000 short of its target and the Mission is concerned that if more funds cannot be raised its services may be compromised.

“We rely heavily on our two major fundraising appeals – Winter and Christmas – to help ensure our services can continue to run 365 days a year. When an appeal doesn’t meet its target we really feel the pinch. It means we have to either take the money from somewhere else in our already stretched budget, or cut back on the services we offer. The ones who suffer most are the families, children, the homeless and the elderly who desperately need our support now and into the future.”

Diane Robertson says the Mission is seeing more and more people coming for help. In the last twelve months social workers gave out over 10,235 food parcels, compared to 9,382 the previous year.

“Now more than ever, we need the Auckland community to get behind us. We are extremely grateful to those who have already donated, and we ask more Aucklanders to reach out to their fellow Aucklanders in need by making a donation to the appeal today.”

Donations can be made online at www.aucklandcitymission.org.nz, or by calling 0900 4 AUCKLANDERS (0900 42825) to make an automatic $25 donation.

The Auckland City Mission’s services include its Crisis Care service for those needing emergency assistance and longer-term support, Homelessness Services, an inner-city medical centre, Drug and Alcohol Addiction services and Food Distribution services.

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