All Saints’ Anglican Church in Howick will mark 35 years of its food bank with a service of thanksgiving on Sunday 26 July.
“You are warmly invited to a service of thanksgiving,” the parish says in its notice.
“Join us as we give thanks and celebrate this special milestone together.”
The service is at 9.30am at the church on Selwyn Road, with morning tea afterwards in Haseler Hall.
The food bank opens weekdays from 10am to 11am.
It is a confidential service, available to anyone regardless of household size, and the Citizens Advice Bureau listing records that no appointment is necessary.
The parish asks for donations of meat, dairy products and non-perishable goods, and the bureau listing adds fresh fruit and vegetables.
The parish also says financial help is welcome, because of the cost of providing large quantities of food on a regular basis.
All Saints’ is one of the earliest churches in Auckland, established in 1847.
The old Selwyn church was prefabricated at St John’s College in Meadowbank and hauled by bullock wagon from Howick Beach, and is still used for worship, weddings and funerals.
The present church opened in 1970 with seating for about 400, and was extended in 2000.
The vicar is the Rev’d Ivica Gregurec.
The food bank is one of several community services the parish runs.
The others include the Selwyn Centre for older people on Mondays and Fridays, the Seasons for Growth grief and loss programme, the Space programme for parents of new babies, and Christmas Lunch on Jesus, which packs and delivers Christmas food boxes.
The parish also runs a garden produce swap, and any produce not taken home is given to the food bank.
Enquiries go to the parish office on (09) 534 6864 or office@allsaintshowick.org.nz.
