Catholic Social Services provides support to Kahungunu Whanau Services, a Kaupapa Māori social service agency, and Housing First Provider.

Just before Christmas last year many parishes and communities of the Archdiocese contributed household goods that enabled Kahungunu Whanau Services to house 2 families in time for Christmas.

Over the lockdown period Kahungunu has continued to place individuals and families without homes into permanent or transitional housing. They have asked for our help again. They have secured 9 properties for permanent housing over the next few weeks. The first two of these settlements will be on Friday 8th May 2020.

Because of the large numbers of people they have settled recently (150 people), Kahungunu have used up their store of donated goods and other possible sources of supply have been put on hold.

The following is a list of items urgently needed

• Double or queen beds with mattress and base
• Drawers
• Pots and pans
• Couches
• Whiteware (if possible)
• Microwaves
• Linen and blankets

Pope Francis has spoken about "the saints who live next door”. We don’t have to look far to see them. It is agencies like Kahungunu Whanau Services, Challenge 2000, Compassion Soup Kitchen and St Vincent de Paul that are among our “saints next door”. They deserve our help. If you are able to help at all it would be very much appreciated.

To offer any help please contact Catholic Social Services Community Facilitator Paul Alsford on p.alsford@wn.catholic.org.nz 021754145 to arrange a contactless pick up.