Winter can be hard at the best of times. But this year things will be even harder for the thousands of people who have lost their jobs, had their incomes reduced and those who might be struggling to feed their families, some for the first time in their lives.

The effects of winter and Covid-19 have put a strain on the community, and some are going hungry. A local food rescue appeal is underway to help those who are currently struggling get through these hard times. 

Warkworth Rotary/Lions Food Rescue is asking households to help feed the hungry by looking out for a paper bag in their mailbox. The bags are for the New World 2020 Foodbank Appeal and can be filled with groceries and dropped off at a collection trolley at the supermarket on Percy Street, Warkworth.

Food Rescue chair, Terry Nuthall, says the bags of food will be distributed to local people in need. "Demand for food parcels is up by 40 per cent on this time last year," Terry says. "Requests are expected to remain at these levels due to increased unemployment in our area and an uncertain future." Terry thanks the community for its continued support in taking care of its own. 

In a joint project with Kowhai Coast and Wellsford Lions and Warkworth Rotary, the Warkworth Rotary/Lions Food Rescue distributes approximately 1,200kg of food each month which would have otherwise gone to the rubbish tip or local pig farms.