In the small New Zealand community of Tokoroa, life has lots of ups and downs.
In a remote part of the North Island, it has relied on the lumber industry for jobs and that has created economic cycles--feast or famine some may say. The recent COVID-19 lockdown in New Zealand took a tough situation and made it even more challenging, leaving some families and individuals without sufficient food.
Seeing the need, local leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints from surrounding communities joined forces with the local food pantry HALO and the social services agency TCOSS (Tokoroa Council of Social Services) to provide a program of food support for needy people in the area.Since early June, they have organised a weekly food delivery service that takes food parcels directly to people in the area.
During the deliveries, it was discovered that some homes did not have adequate heating for the cold winters in Tokoroa, so a call was sent out for blankets and heaters. More than 400 blankets and dozens of heaters were donated by local Latter-day Saints.
The project was recently extended so food deliveries will now be made over ten weeks.
"It is a wonderful blessing to be able to share our love and devotion to the Saviour,” said local Latter-day Saint volunteer, Gayle Greening. She quotes a Church scripture, 'When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.' (The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ Mosiah 2:17)
Additional information - "Lending a Hand to Families Going Through Tough Times in Tokoroa, New Zealand" 11 June 2020