PHOTO: Dave Letele’s foodbank. RNZ
South Auckland Food Bank Saved from Closure: A Story of Resilience and Generosity
A South Auckland food bank on the brink of shutting its doors has been given a lifeline, thanks to an outpouring of community support and substantial donations from philanthropists. The Buttabean Food Bank (BBM), founded by former boxer and community leader David Letele, has faced immense challenges this year as demand for food parcels skyrocketed while funding remained insufficient.
This week, the food bank’s volunteers are preparing to deliver hundreds of Christmas hampers and toys to families in need across Auckland, Waikato, and other regions, thanks to the generosity of donors who stepped in to prevent its closure.
David Letele. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A Tough Year for the Buttabean Food Bank
The BBM food bank has long been a lifeline for struggling families, but 2024 proved to be its most challenging year yet. In October, Letele announced the food bank’s imminent closure, citing overwhelming demand that far exceeded available resources. Then, in November, disaster struck when vandals broke into the food bank, destroying equipment and turning off freezers. The act of vandalism led to the loss of eight tonnes of meat, compounding the food bank’s financial struggles.
At its lowest point, the future of the food bank looked bleak. But the resilience of the BBM team, coupled with the support of the community and key donors, turned the tide.
Generosity Saves the Day
The turning point came when several significant donors rallied to help the BBM food bank stay open. Speaking to RNZ’s Checkpoint, Letele expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming support.
“It’s just amazing, you know? The public really rallied around us after what happened in November,” Letele said.
Among the donors were telecommunications entrepreneur Annette Presley, who donated $100,000, and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which contributed $130,000. An anonymous donor also stepped in with a $100,000 donation, bringing the total to $330,000.
The anonymous benefactor reached out via LinkedIn, but the connection almost didn’t happen. “A follower on LinkedIn reached out to me, and I actually didn’t reply—I was so busy,” Letele recounted. After days of missed calls and messages, they finally connected, resulting in a donation that Letele described as “next level.”
Spreading Christmas Joy to Families in Need
With the funds, BBM has been able to resume its vital work, just in time for the holiday season. This week, the food bank is delivering 150 Christmas hampers to the Waikato Women’s Refuge and distributing toys to families in Hamilton. In total, over 1000 families across Auckland, Hamilton, Tokoroa, and Te Kūiti will receive much-needed support.
“This is still only a band-aid,” Letele admitted. “We can stay open, but I don’t know how long for. We’re going to talk to [the donors] about long-term plans as well.”
A Call for Sustained Support
While the immediate crisis has been averted, Letele emphasized the need for more robust, long-term solutions to support not only his food bank but other charities facing similar struggles.
“I see your RNZ article about the City Mission. They’re struggling, having to cut 30,000 parcels—each parcel represents an individual or family. So where are those people gonna go?”
Letele’s concerns highlight the broader issue of food insecurity across New Zealand, where many families rely on food banks to make ends meet.
BBM is not just about food. It also provides education, job opportunities, and wraparound support to help families break the cycle of poverty. Letele hopes that donors will continue to invest in these transformative services.
A Testament to Community Spirit
The story of BBM’s near closure and miraculous revival is a powerful reminder of the impact that collective generosity can have. It also underscores the ongoing need for systemic support for charities providing essential services to vulnerable communities.
As Letele reflects on the generosity that saved his food bank, he remains tight-lipped about the identity of the anonymous donor, hinting only that “everyone would know” their name.
For now, BBM is focused on delivering Christmas joy to families in need and planning for a more sustainable future. “I’m happy today,” Letele said, “but there’s still so much work to do.”
How You Can Help
If you’re inspired by the story of the Buttabean Food Bank, there are many ways you can contribute:
- Donate: Financial contributions are crucial to sustaining food banks like BBM.
- Volunteer: Offer your time to help sort, pack, and distribute food parcels.
- Raise Awareness: Share stories about food insecurity to encourage more people to support local charities.
The resilience of the BBM food bank and the generosity of its supporters showcase the strength of community spirit in Aotearoa. Let’s continue to support initiatives that ensure no family goes hungry.
SOURCE: RNZ