Supporting Our Community Through Food

Who Does What, and How We Work Together

Here in Wānaka, we’re lucky to have three incredible services working together to make sure no one in our community needs to go without a meal. Community Link’s Foodbank, Food for Love, and Meals on Wheels each offer unique support, but it’s their connection and collaboration that make our food support system truly special.

Foodbank – Food to Fill the Pantry
Operated by Community Link, the Upper Clutha Foodbank provides essential food support to individuals and whānau experiencing financial hardship. Food parcels are packed with a wide range of canned, non-perishable, and fresh food items - including vegetables, milk, bread, and meat. The Foodbank typically provides up to four food parcels per person or household. However, if household circumstances change, please talk to us we can always offer additional support. Each parcel also includes some choice, so you can select items that best suit your needs. The Foodbank, based at the Wānaka Community Hub, is well stocked with everything needed for people to cook nourishing meals at home.

The Foodbank is open for pick-ups on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays 11am-3pm.

Food for Love – Homemade Help in Tough Times
Sometimes, life throws you a curveball – illness, bereavement, or an unexpected crisis – and that’s where Food for Love steps in. Their volunteers prepare fresh, homemade meals for individuals and families nominated by someone in the community. It’s a short-term response to support people while they get back on their feet. Community Link acts as a referral agency, helping connect those in need to this caring service.

Meals on Wheels – Daily Support for Independent Living
Meals on Wheels ensures that people who can’t cook for themselves still receive a hot, nourishing lunch every weekday. The meals are prepared by the Aspiring Care Kitchen and delivered by a team of local volunteer drivers, recruited and supported by Community Link. For many recipients, the delivery is also a vital social connection during the day.

So, how do these services overlap?
The collaboration is where the magic happens. For example, every Friday, Food for Love provides an extra meal for Meals on Wheels clients to enjoy over the weekend – these are delivered as part of Community Link’s Friday Meals on Wheels delivery. And Community Link not only recruits the Meals on Wheels volunteers and also refers families to Food for Love when additional support is needed. In turn, Food for Love often connects families back to Community Link, creating a caring network that ensures no one falls through the cracks.

Together, these three services are making sure food support in Wānaka is practical and connected to the community. Whether it’s a full pantry, a warm meal, or a friendly face delivering a meal, support is never far away.