Kai in the Holidays 2025: Made possible by our community
Kai in the Holidays 2025 was delivered to support people who experienced reduced access to food over the Christmas and New Year period, when many food support services were closed or operating at limited capacity.
The programme operated across six days (22–24 and 29–31 December) and supported 289 people across Nelson, Stoke, Richmond, and surrounding areas. During this time, 89 kai boxes were prepared and 24 deliveries were made to households who were unable to access food through their usual channels.
The programme focused on households affected by reduced income during holiday shutdowns, rising living costs, and school closures that normally support tamariki with food. With many emergency food providers closed and limited access to rescued food during this period, Kai in the Holidays provided a short-term pathway for kai to continue reaching those who needed it.
Kai in the Holidays was coordinated through Ngā Ringa Toha, a network of local organisations working together to improve food access and security. The programme relied on shared resources, strong coordination, and collaboration between community organisations, funders, donors, and volunteers.
Approximately 150–180 volunteer hours contributed to managing referrals, sorting and packing food, coordinating deliveries, and supporting people on site. Food, transport, space, and logistical support were provided by a range of partner organisations and community contributors.
Any undistributed kai at the end of the programme was passed on to YWAM’s holiday programme and the Nelson Community Food Bank, ensuring food continued to be used to support the community.
Kai in the Holidays demonstrated the value of coordinated, short-term responses during periods of high need and limited service availability. The programme provides a strong foundation for future holiday-period food support initiatives.
Members of the local organisations who helped coordinating the mahi
Some of our volunteers having a break and a laugh