NBS made substantial donations to foodbanks through the Tasman and West Coast regions.
NBS CEO Tony Cadigan says the NBS team prides itself on giving back to the local community and takes a local approach when distributing sponsorship and making donations. Each NBS Branch Manager has their own budget because they are on-the-ground, so are well placed to identify the best local not-for-profit groups to support.
The impact on our communities due to Covid-19 has been significant. We heard about the big increase in demand facing organisations currently distributing food and know it is likely the number of people seeking food parcels will only increase,” says Cadigan. “We have been in a privileged position as an essential business during Alert Level 4, so our branches wanted to give back to our community now.”
The largest contribution to foodbanks made by NBS was to the Nelson Community Foodbank Trust, which supports families in Nelson and Richmond.
Trustee Megan Familton says NBS’ contribution would assist to meet increased demand. “Cash is really what we need at the moment, as it helps us tailor food parcels for the families receiving them,” says Familton. “We are very grateful to NBS, it’s a very timely donation.”
Meanwhile, NBS Tākaka Branch Manager, Dean Lund is supporting Mohua Social Services Charitable Trust in Golden Bay. This organisation provides the full breadth of social services in Golden Bay including a foodbank. “As well as distributing food parcels, Mohua Social Services has setup a special ‘Covid Fund’ from which they have already supported families to connect to the internet for schooling,” says Lund. “They play an important role in the Bay and I’m right behind them.”
Other contributions to target local needs have been made to the Salvation Army groups in Motueka and Greymouth. In Westport, donations have been made to the Salvation Army and social service provider, Poutini Waiora. To support Murchison, NBS is assisting a charity called ‘Kai with Love’, which is bringing parcels down to the town each week on a Monday. A group to support in Ashburton, where NBS also has a branch, is currently being identified.
Cadigan says, “NBS plans to continue its long-standing support of the not-for-profit sector, which will be even more important this year as we recover from Covid-19 pandemic.”